Cancer research in Brazil: analysis of funding criteria and possible consequences

Abstract

Cancer has high incidence in both developed and developing countries. Epidemiological data on the rate of cancer incidence in Brazil appears not to have a strong impact on government policies to fund research and innovation in health, particularly in oncology. This study aimed to verify this suspicion by retrospectively analysing data from the Brazilian government’s Financier of Studies and Projects (Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos, FINEP) and The National Institute of Industrial Property (Instituto Nacional da Propriedade Industrial, INPI) on cancer research and innovation in Brazil from 1998 to 2013. Our results indicated that, in the study period, the increased rate of cancer incidence in Brazil was not accompanied by government funding for cancer research since only 9% of the budget approved to health research, and innovation, was spent on cancer research. In addition, the number of projects approved for developing infrastructure to support cancer research was limited, corresponding to 0.46% of the total budget. The number of applications for registration of patents of chemical and biotechnological drugs for cancer showed a reduction, reflecting the low investment in oncology. In conclusion, there are deficits in governmental funding of cancer research and innovation in Brazil. Therefore, effective measures to coordinate funding policies and effective criteria for funding allocation should be im plemented to avoid further negative consequences for the population and the public health scenario. Moreover, increased governmental and non-governmental funding could help to improve the current precarious situation that limits the population’s access to health goods and services.