OBJECTIVES:  Very little information is available on literature about alternative treatments that became available by the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices (NPICP) in Brazil. One of these different practices covered by the NPICP is the Traditional Chinese Medicine, including acupuncture. The objective of this study was to examine epidemiological data to identify the impact of NPICP publication on acupuncture prescriptions. METHODS:  Acupuncture prescription in SUS was analyzed retrospectively from the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) database, the DATASUS. The study period was defined as January 2008 to December 2015. The procedure utilization was identified in database by identification codes 0309050022 (manual needle insertion) and 0309050014 (manual needle insertion, moxibustion and cupping) in the prescription claims. The analyzed variables included reimbursement value authorized, prescriber, geographical region and therapy procedure. RESULTS:  From 2008 (n=172,111) to 2015 (n=613,395) a total of 3,635,701 millions of acupuncture procedures were registered in DATASUS. The majority of procedures were located in the Southeast region (n=2,364,736 / 65%), and the state with the highest number of treatments was São Paulo (n=1,778,424 / 49%). Municipal health centers were responsible for the biggest part of procedures (64%) followed by states (18%). The procedures yearly average growth in the period was 22% (3.7 times), indicating an increasing demand. The reimbursement authorized varied from R$ 641,700 to R$ 2,603,919 in 2008 and 2015, respectively, meaning a total of R$ 14,844,753 (an average of R$ 3.9 per procedure). Acupuncture was prescribed by: Physicians (55%), Physiotherapist (32%), Nurses (5%) and other healthcare professionals (18%). CONCLUSIONS:  These data reinforces the importance of government in supporting complementary therapeutic options. Besides the observed discrepancy in the adoption by geographic region, the increasing demand over the years suggests the need for complementary and alternative treatments by Brazilian population and acceptance by health care professionals.