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PDP — Productive Development Partnerships (SUS Procurement)

BR-unique

PDPs (Parcerias para o Desenvolvimento Produtivo — Productive Development Partnerships) are a uniquely Brazilian mechanism by which the Ministry of Health partners with domestic and foreign manufacturers to transfer technology and enable local production of strategic health products — including medical devices — for procurement by the public health system (SUS).

What PDPs are​

A PDP is a structured agreement between:

  • A public laboratory or domestic company (the receiving partner) — develops the technology for local production;
  • A technology holder (typically a foreign manufacturer) — transfers manufacturing know-how; and
  • The Ministry of Health — commits to purchasing the product from the domestic producer for SUS use.

PDPs give the technology holder preferential access to SUS procurement in exchange for technology transfer to a Brazilian company.

Strategic health products covered by PDPs​

ANVISA-registered medical devices that are included on Brazil's Strategic Health Products list (Produtos Estratégicos para o SUS) are eligible for PDP agreements. These typically include high-cost implants, diagnostic imaging equipment, and critical care devices.

Regulatory implications of PDPs​

Products manufactured under a PDP by a Brazilian domestic partner must obtain their own ANVISA registration independent of the technology holder's original registration. The domestic producer must submit a complete registration application (Registro, Cadastro, or Notificação, depending on device class) and cannot reference or inherit the technology holder's foreign or Brazilian registrations.

Official sources

Verify all information against official ANVISA sources before making regulatory decisions.