[Health research in Brazil: context and challenges].

The deficiencies in Brazilian science and technology policies with regard to the challenges of the twenty-first century are discussed, while acknowledging that these policies have in some respects been very successful. The importance of health research within the framework of general endeavors in science, technology and innovation in this country is also demonstrated. The distribution of research around the world is then summarized, and a specific position is claimed for Brazil, along with some other countries, within the global panorama. Some elements needed for maturation of the sectoral system for health innovation are discussed. Finally, the need for the presence of the Ministry of Health within the panorama of health research, for this maturation process to take place adequately, is discussed.