In an interview with CNN This Wednesday (19), the former president of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) Gonzalo Vecina spoke about the discussion around the Covid-19 self-test. Earlier, Anvisa demanded additional information from the Ministry of Health to deliberate on the use of self-tests in Brazil.
According to the sanitary doctor, Anvisa is asking for information “that is absolutely necessary”, but considered that the discussion between the agency and the Ministry of Health should be less bureaucratic.
“Anvisa is asking for information that is absolutely necessary, I just find it strange how to do it, because Anvisa is not subordinated to the Ministry of Health, Anvisa is the head of SUS. So, in fact, they have to talk without arranging a meeting, in a normal government it is like that”, said Vecina.
The former president of Anvisa reiterated the importance of the decision for public health: “I was president of Anvisa and I know, I talked to the Minister of Health, to the secretary of the ministry. This issue is fundamental for Brazilian public health, you don’t have to schedule a meeting to discuss the registration system”, he added.
The decision of the Agency’s Collegiate Board of Directors voted, in majority, for the collection of additional information, by the Ministry of Health, of public policy for the use of exams in the country. Directors proposed a period of 15 days for the folder to send the complementary data.
After the Anvisa meeting, the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, said that he still did not have access to the content of the demands made by the agency.
“The position of the Ministry of Health on the self-test is clear, as is everything here in the government of President Bolsonaro, we have already expressed ourselves in favor of the sale of self-tests in pharmacies”, said Queiroga.
Reference: CNN Brasil
