Anvisa and associations disapprove note from the Federal Council of Medicine on cannabis cultivation
The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) disapproved the note published by the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP) regarding the cultivation of cannabis for medicinal purposes in Brazil. The two medical entities argued that the agency's proposal "disregards scientific evidence that the use of Cannabis sativa L. in its natural form and its derivatives do not guarantee effectiveness and safety for patients".
In another note published on its portal, Anvisa maintains that CFM and ABP did not consider the real purpose of the regulation. The agency pointed out that cannabis is sometimes the only therapeutic alternative for patients. It also stated that the increasing number of patients being treated with cannabis today is because more doctors are prescribing the substance.
"Entities lack truthfulness", says Apepi
The position of CFM and ABP was also criticized by associations that advocate for individuals treated with the derivative. The Association for Research and Support of Cannabis Patients (Apepi) stated that the two entities "lack truthfulness when they claim that there is no evidence of efficacy and safety, as there is already a registered cannabis medication in Brazil containing CBD and THC, which has passed all necessary clinical tests".
On the other hand, the Drug Reform, a collective of jurists advocating for changes in Brazilian drug policy, classified the note as "infamous": "The CFM tries to treat cannabis as an experimental treatment, but forgets that there is already a registered cannabis medication in Brazil"
Sechat has been trying to contact CFM since Friday (14) for an interview. However, the entity stated through its press office that it would not comment beyond what was written in the statement. It then suggested that questions be sent by email, which was done. We have not received a response yet.
Read Anvisa's full note
The note from the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) and the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry (ABP) regarding the public consultations opened by Anvisa to start the process and hear from society about medicinal Cannabis-based medications did not consider the real purpose of the regulation draft on cultivation.
Anvisa would not be presenting a proposal with this content if it were not to meet the needs of patients and doctors who often have Cannabis-based medications as the only or even last therapeutic option.
Anvisa's work aims to meet the demands of patients and doctors for access to safe and effective medications. There is nothing in the texts proposed by the Agency that suggests the use of the plant in its natural form.
The note is also signed by the Brazilian Association of Psychiatry. Although there is no compelling scientific evidence regarding the efficacy of Cannabis-based treatments in psychiatric patients, the situation is different for neurological patients, where the results show very solid progress.
Anvisa is the legally defined regulatory agency in Brazil for registering medications in the country.
Therefore, the increasing number of patients in the country being treated with Cannabis-based products today is the result of prescriptions made by the doctors responsible for therapeutic choices. In other words, without a medical prescription, there is no use of medicinal Cannabis.
* Image credit: Iñigo Ibisate/Pixabay