Brazil approves cannabis-based products sold in pharmacies
Health group vetos cultivation and sales will be restricted to prescription medicine
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Brazil’s national health agency (ANVISA) approved new rules for the registration of cannabis-based products for medicinal purposes in the country, authorizing their sale in pharmacies. By three votes to one, the agency rejected a proposal that would endorse cultivation for research and production of medicines - which in practice will force companies to import raw materials. Nonetheless, HempMeds, the first company to bring drugs to Brazil, saw the move as an important step, especially in reducing the cost to patients. (See also: New guidelines approved for medical cannabis in Brazil | Brazil’s new medical cannabis rules reject domestic cultivation, potentially setting up large import market)