National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa)

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) was created to protect the health of the citizens by means of the sanitary control of production and marketing of products and services subject to sanitary surveillance. The agency also exercises control over ports, airports and borders and acts as interface between the Foreign Ministry and foreign institutions to address international health surveillance issues.

The creation of Anvisa in 1999 was necessary due to the dilution of the role of the government as a leading provider of public services. There was also a need to regulate productive activities of public interest in order to encourage competition and innovation.

The autarchy is connected to the Ministry of Health and functions under a special regime, characterized by administrative independence, stability of its managers and financial autonomy. The agency is managed by a Board of Directors made up of five members. Anvisa open spaces for society to give its opinion on important health-related issues and to ensure transparency in regulatory actions. These include:

Regulatory Agenda (content in portuguese): On a yearly basis it promotes predictability and transparency in regulatory actions by allowing the participation of society in defining priority areas, including the introduction of new regulations and the revision of existing ones.

Public Hearings (content in portuguese): Topmost issues are discussed not only during public consultations, but also in hearings open to the entire population.

Sectorial Chambers (content in portuguese): These act in an advisory capacity. They bring together government agencies, the civil society and the private sector to discuss strategic issues and to approve the decisions of its Board of Directors.

Technical Councils (content in portuguese): Formed by members of the scientific community that provide support and advice to technical decisions made by the Agency.

Advisory Board (content in portuguese): Comprised of representatives from public administration institutions, the organized civil society and the scientific community, it meets every three months to monitor and assess the development of activities undertaken by the Agency.

Public Consultation (content in portuguese): Before the publication of a new rule, resolution or regulation, Anvisa consults with the public to learn their opinion on the matter. Citizens can learn about the issues being discussed by the Agency and express their opinion using the agency's website.

Ombudsman (content in portuguese): Any citizen can contact the Ombudsman to make denounces, complaints, criticisms or suggestions that will be answered by the service.

Visa Mobilizes (content in portuguese): It aims at coordinating a network of social players, civil society organizations and the three spheres of government to mobilize the population around issues of surveillance, and health and citizenship promotion.

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National Health Surveillance Agency (content in portuguese)