Law No. 14,758/2023, which establishes the National Cancer Prevention and Control Policy (PNPCC) in the Unified Health System (SUS), came into force in June 2024. Its main objective is to reduce the incidence of cancer and ensure full access to treatment for patients.

For the PNPCC to be effectively implemented, urgent regulation was necessary, especially in fundamental aspects such as financial incentives, integration between the Federal Government, states and municipalities, definition of goals, and training of health professionals. After seven months of waiting, the Ministry of Health published three ordinances (Ordinances GM/MS No. 6,590, 6,591, and 6,592) that regulate the policy. These regulations create the Cancer Prevention and Control Network and establish the Navigation Program for People Diagnosed with Cancer in the SUS.

The measures were agreed by the Tripartite Interagency Committee (CIT), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the National Council of Health Secretaries (Conass) and the National Council of Municipal Health Secretaries (Conasems). Among the most important advances, the following stand out:

• Expansion of telehealth to support remote diagnosis and treatment;

• Agreement between the Federal Government, states and municipalities for shared accountability;

• Strengthening Primary Health Care (PHC) in the regulation of care;

• Incorporation of palliative care at all levels of care;

• Guarantee of cancer diagnosis within legal time limits;

• Training of teams for screening, diagnosis, and effective treatment;

• Reduction of unnecessary travel and greater adherence to treatment.

• Challenges and gaps in regulation

Despite the progress represented by the ordinances, uncertainties still persist about the effectiveness of the implementation of the PNPCC in practice. The regulations address some issues excessively broadly, without detailing concrete mechanisms for their application, in addition to the absence of clear definitions, such as federal funding to reduce regional disparities in access to services, a fundamental aspect to guarantee the viability of the planned actions. Without these clarifications, the implementation of the policy may face operational obstacles and compromise equitable access to cancer treatment in the SUS.

“In addition, a fourth ordinance, still under discussion, will address the purchase of oncological drugs. This text will define the rules for access to medicines and will establish the component of pharmaceutical care in oncology in the SUS.

Given this scenario, there are still doubts as to whether the regulations will be sufficient to guarantee effective cancer care in the SUS. The PNPCC will depend not only on established guidelines, but also on efficient execution, with adequate funding, coordination between federal entities, and continuous monitoring so that advances translate into real benefits for patients.”

Collaboration: Dr. Jéssica Léda - Lawyer

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