Health

Brazil aims to partner with India to produce medicines and vaccines

President Lula and his delegation are in New Delhi

Luiz Claudio Ferreira

Published on 19/02/2026 - 12:12

Brasília

Brasil quer parceria com Índia para produção de remédios e vacinas — © Rafael Nascimento/MS

The Brazilian government on Wednesday (Feb. 18) expressed its intention to establish cooperation with India for the production of medicines and vaccines. Health Minister Alexandre Padilha is part of President Lula’s delegation in New Delhi to attend a summit on the impact of artificial intelligence.

According to Padilha, as announced by the government, the partnership proposal includes public institutions and companies from both countries for the production of cancer drugs and medicines to combat tropical diseases.

Public systems

In a meeting with Indian Ministers Jagat Prakash Nadda (Health and Family Welfare) and Prataprao Jadhav (Traditional Medicine), Padilha also expressed his intention to expand efforts and exchange experiences on free access to health care services for the people.

“Brazil and India have robust public systems, strong scientific capacity, and a strategic role in the Global South. Our cooperation in health can expand the population’s access to medicines, strengthen local production, and drive innovation,” said the Brazilian minister.

Padilha invited the Indian officials to join the Global Coalition for Local and Regional Production, Innovation, and Equitable Access. “We want India and Brazil to be at the forefront of a new international health care agenda based on local production, innovation, and solidarity cooperation,” he declared.

Artificial intelligence

Another topic of discussion between Brazilian and Indian authorities was the use of digital technologies and AI in the organization of public health care systems.

Exchanges in digital health care, Padilha reported, can contribute to the modernization of Brazil’s national health care network – the SUS – expand access, and improve the quality of care.

Another proposal was the implementation of a digital library of traditional medicine, bringing together scientific evidence, protocols, clinical studies, historical records, and best practices on integrative and complementary practices.