Federal procurement of unlicensed medicines in Brazil; findings and implications.

Background: There are safety concerns with using unlicensed medicines across countries including Brazil. Consequently this needs to be evaluated and concerns address if pertinent.

Aim: Investigate such purchases by the Brazilian Federal Government from 2004 to 2013.

[The acquisition of medication to treat Alzheimer's disease in Brazil: an analysis of federal purchases, 2008-2013].

The demographic transition in Brazil has led to substantial aging of the population and an increased prevalence of age-related diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The Brazilian Ministry of Health finances AD medication and, since 2002, a Clinical Protocol and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDT) for this condition have been made available. This study investigated the acquisition of medication for AD in the Integrated System of Administration of General Services (SIASG) database.