SNGPC: why this control system matters

Anyone who has ever had to buy a controlled medication at a pharmacy knows that it takes a little longer. Registration at the counter, a signature, retention of a special prescription and other steps needed to control these drugs are part of the process.

It was to monitor the purchase, sale, transfer and loss of medications in private pharmacies and drugstores across the country (especially narcotics and psychotropics) that Anvisa created the National Controlled Products Management System (SNGPC).

In this article, understand the role this system plays in Brazil’s pharmaceutical market.

What is the SNGPC?

The SNGPC is a digital tool developed by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) to monitor, in real time, the movement of medications subject to special control and of antimicrobials (antibiotics).

The system has been in operation since 2007, and before it was implemented, control was done manually, through record books kept on file at the pharmacies. This model was vulnerable to entry errors and made inspection difficult.

With the SNGPC, the entire flow is recorded electronically and transmitted periodically to Anvisa’s database, from the moment the product enters inventory to its delivery to the end consumer.

How does the system work in practice?

The SNGPC is based on the exchange of data files between the pharmacy’s management software and the Anvisa portal. The process follows a strict cycle:

1. Inventory entry: as soon as the pharmacy receives controlled medications from a distributor, the invoice information and the lots are entered into the system.

2. Sale and dispensing: at the time of purchase, the pharmacist must check the prescription and record the data of the patient and the prescribing physician.

3. Inventory transmission: the establishment sends XML files to Anvisa at intervals ranging from 1 to 7 days, consolidating all the movements in the period.

4. Validation: Anvisa’s system cross-checks the data and looks for inconsistencies, such as sales above the permitted amount or irregular prescriptions.

The return of mandatory regular transmission

In recent years, the SNGPC went through technical and operational instability that led to the temporary suspension of the requirement for regular transmissions. However, in 2025 Anvisa reinstated the requirement to send files to the system regularly.

This return follows a regional schedule, as published by the agency:

• Southeast: starting on September 1, 2025

• South and North: starting on November 1, 2025

• Center-West and Northeast: starting on January 2, 2026

The requirement applies to all movements of medications and pharmaceutical inputs subject to special control, with XML files transmitted within a minimum interval of 1 and a maximum of 7 consecutive days, counted from the date set for each region.

Important: failure to meet the deadlines will constitute a health violation, subject to administrative and criminal penalties.

Guidance for pharmacies and professionals

Before mandatory transmission begins, Anvisa recommends:

• Updating user registrations on the SNGPC portal to ensure access and properly configured profiles in the system.

• Reviewing the guidance materials available on the agency’s portal with step-by-step instructions for registration, configuration and use.

• Contacting Anvisa’s support channels to clear up questions or access problems.

The system remains active and available for voluntary use. Transmissions made before the mandatory start help identify needed adjustments and make regular use more robust.

Why is the SNGPC essential?

The importance of this system justifies the bureaucratic procedures associated with it. The SNGPC is a pillar of public health safety for three main reasons:

• Fighting misuse: by tracking every box of medication, the system makes it harder to divert substances to the illegal market or to the recreational use of psychotropics.

• Controlling bacterial resistance: since antibiotics were included in the system, there has been stricter control over self-medication, which is essential to prevent the emergence of superbugs.

• Guaranteed provenance: monitoring ensures that the medication that reaches the consumer has gone through the entire legal distribution chain, reducing the risk of counterfeiting.

The pharmacist’s role

The pharmacist is the technical officer responsible for the integrity of the data. They digitally sign the movements and ensure that the store’s physical inventory is perfectly in line with what is recorded in Anvisa’s system.

The Rivio view

Although the SNGPC is directly tied to the routine of pharmacies and drugstores, its impact reaches the entire care chain. In hospitals, strict control of medications subject to special control is an essential part of patient safety, regulatory compliance and operational efficiency.

On Rivio’s platform, artificial intelligence applied to hospital management contributes to this same goal: reducing risk, increasing traceability and turning operational data into reliable decisions. By integrating clinical, care and administrative information, AI makes it possible to anticipate inconsistencies, support internal audits and strengthen the governance of medication use in complex hospital settings.