São Paulo Health Department establishes working group for cannabis law implementation in SUS

By Sechat editorial team with information from Advisory Caio França

As provided for in State Law No. 17,618, dated January 31, 2023, authored by state deputy Caio França (PSB) and sanctioned by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicanos), today (14), the State Health Department published in the Official State Gazette, resolution No. 18 of 02/13/23, which establishes the creation of a working group designated to advance the new law.

The list, which includes 32 competent bodies and entities, will contribute, through the appointment of representatives and alternates, to the formation of the Working Commission aimed at instituting the state policy for the free provision of medications formulated from plant-derived cannabidiol (CBD), in conjunction with other cannabinoid substances, including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), exceptionally by the Executive Power in state public health units and private units contracted with the Unified Health System – SUS.

Among the group's responsibilities are the analysis of current health and assistance protocols, proposing assistance and health protocols, dispensing flow, and drafting the proposal for implementing the state policy, which aims to align the theme of medicinal cannabis use with public health standards, through the conduct of studies and international references.

“The commission suggested by the department is heterogeneous and will bring together the main class entities in the country, education, and research through the involvement of public universities, specialized physicians, cannabis associations, among others,” reveals state deputy Caio França (PSB), who expresses satisfaction with the state government's commitment to deadlines and transparency in the process of forming the working group. 

“We are moving towards ensuring that individuals with a prescription for medicinal cannabis can access it fairly and free of charge, available in SUS, without the usual high costs and bureaucracy,” highlighted the author of the law.

The Working Commission will be coordinated by a representative from the office of the State Secretary of Health Eleuses Paiva, consisting of a representative and respective alternate from the following bodies: 

> Secretary's Office and Advisories;

> Strategic Demand Coordination Group of the Unified Health System – GCODES/SUS;

> Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination; 

> Sanitary Surveillance Center of the Disease Control Coordination;

> Brazilian Medical Association; 

> São Paulo Medical Association;

> Federal Medical Council; 

> Regional Medical Council; 

> Brazilian Academy of Neurology – São Paulo Chapter; 

> São Paulo Society of Pediatrics; 

> Society of Anesthesiology of the State of São Paulo; 

> Brazilian Society of Psychiatry; 

> Brazilian Society for the Study of Pain; 

> Brazilian Society of Clinical Oncology; 

> Gastroenterology Society of the State of São Paulo; 

> Brazilian Society of Internal Medicine; 

> Brazilian Council of Ophthalmology; 

> Regional Pharmacy Council of São Paulo; 

> Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo; 

> Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo;

> Faculty of Medicine of Botucatu, São Paulo State University “Júlio de Mesquita Filho” – UNESP; 

> Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University of Campinas – UNICAMP;

> Paulista School of Medicine of the Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP; 

> Faculty of Medicine of Marília – FAMEMA;

>  Faculty of Medicine of São José do Rio Preto – FAMERP; 

> Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Carlos – UFSCAR;

>  Brazilian Bar Association – OAB; 

> Public Ministry of the State of São Paulo – MPESP; 

> São Paulo Court of Justice – TJSP; 

> São Paulo State Legislative Assembly – ALESP; 

> National Health Surveillance Agency – ANVISA and; 

> 02 (two) representatives from organized civil society associations, representing patients.