07.05.07. What are the costs of the main antidementia medications: donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine? | Brazil

07.05.07. What are the costs of the main antidementia medications: donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine and memantine? | Brazil

08 Apr 2022

The prices of the medicines vary per state according to federal/state taxation rates (as shown in the table below), and per laboratory. They are available for free in the SUS, but there is a bureaucratic and specific place where they can be obtained. Private patients may buy medication in pharmacies.

TAX Federal State Initials
20% RJ
18% AM, AP, BA, CE, MA, MG, PB, PE, PI, PR, RN, RS, SE, SP, TO and RJ
17.5% RO
17% Other states
12% Generic medicines in SP and MG

The Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) establishes the maximum price a costumer can pay for each medicine. It may happen that a laboratory sells the same drug with different “brand names” which may impact on the final price of the medication. People living with dementia can get all these medications free of charge through the SUS.