India and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the regulation of pharmaceutical and medical products, marking a step in deepening health-sector ties between the two countries.

The agreement was exchanged between India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Brazil’s Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA).

The MoU was formally exchanged by ANVISA Director-President Leandro Safatle and India’s Ambassador to Brazil Dinesh Bhatia at Hyderabad House on Saturday. The ceremony was held in the presence of Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil.

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the MoU establishes a structured framework for cooperation and information exchange in the regulation of medical products, including Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), finished drugs, biological products and medical devices. It aims to promote greater convergence in regulatory standards, enhance mutual understanding of each country’s regulatory systems and enable coordinated oversight of medical products.

The agreement reflects a shared commitment by India and Brazil to ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality-assured medicines and medical products for their populations. It is also expected to strengthen pharmaceutical supply chains, promote regulatory best practices and support improved access to affordable healthcare solutions.

The MoU builds upon the broader India–Brazil partnership in the health sector and complements existing institutional mechanisms for bilateral engagement. It highlights growing collaboration in pharmaceuticals, medical technologies and public health, particularly as both nations continue to play key roles among Global South economies.

Through the pact, both regulators reaffirmed their intent to cooperate in areas such as information sharing, regulatory capacity building and coordination on pharmaceutical and medical product oversight, in line with their respective national laws and regulatory frameworks.

The agreement is expected to further reinforce India–Brazil relations while opening new avenues for collaboration in the health and pharmaceutical sectors, ultimately contributing to improved public health outcomes in both countries.