Rio Sets March 18 Launch for Public Semaglutide Care as Supplier Price Survey Opens

Overview

• On Tuesday, the municipal health department opened a market price survey for semaglutide, with about ten companies already signaling interest and five business days to submit quotes.
• Publication of the city’s obesity-treatment protocol was delayed to Wednesday for final adjustments, with the program to be unveiled at Campo Grande’s new Super Health Center on March 18 and first applications expected in April.
• Treatment will start at the Super Center and then expand to family health units, with doses administered in clinics under a family physician’s supervision rather than taken home.
• Initial eligibility targets patients with grade 3 obesity and associated comorbidities, and the health department estimates roughly 130,000 regular SUS users fit the profile, who will receive multidisciplinary follow-up and monthly lab tests during the first six months.
• Procurement will begin with a small negotiated purchase from Novo Nordisk to validate the protocol, followed by a public tender aiming for about 10,000 vials per month after anticipated price drops tied to patent expiry and pending Anvisa registrations.