Farmacovigilância: do panoptismo ao biopoder

Abstract

Introduction: Pharmacovigilance has emerged from the necessity of monitoring the use of medicines that, despite representing prevention, relief and cure for diseases, may cause undesirable adverse effects. Objective: The objective of this paper is showing that pharmacovigilance is a biopolitical strategy, i.e., an instrument of government of human lives. Methodology: In order to achieve it, Brazilian legislation on Pharmacovigilance has been analysed from January 1999, when the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) was created, to December 2009. This analysis considers Michel Foucault’s biopolitical perspective and concepts of panopticism and biopower. Results and discussion: Ten documents were analysed – seven resolutions, two ordinances and one decree. In this study, it could be verified that pharmacovigilant practises were intensified and became more efficient during the analysed period, after ANVISA creation. The modification of the legislation, either by the alteration of existent documents or the creation of new regulation, which happened more intensely in 2009, showed that the surveillance system for medicine use strengthened and impacted medicine users more strongly. Conclusion: Considering the results, it can be said that pharmacovigilance is a biopolitical strategy, once it consists of a control technique over individuals’ and populations’ lives through constant surveillance.