Severely Autistic and Down Syndrome Patient Secures Treatment with Cannabidiol After Court Decision

Antônio (fictional name), 14 years old, has severe autism, Down syndrome, and language delay. A cannabis patient, the resident of Poxoréu - Mato Grosso, obtained, with the assistance of the Public Defender's Office, the right to free treatment with Cannabidiol (200 mg/ml).

The teenager's mother sought the Public Defender's Office after discontinuing the treatment due to the high cost of the medication - around R$3,000 monthly. This discontinuation resulted in the worsening of the young man's symptoms, who began to experience repetitive movements, screams, extreme improvements, and loss of control over physiological needs.

According to Public Defender Marcelo De Nardi, traditional medications such as Risperidone, Fluoxetine, and Ritalin were ineffective in controlling the symptoms, while Cannabidiol showed significant improvements in the quality of life of the teenager and his family.

After the State and the Municipality failed to provide an administrative solution to the case, the Public Defender's Office filed a lawsuit in June of this year. In July, Judge Darwin Pontes granted a preliminary injunction ordering the blocking of funds to cover the treatment costs if the State did not comply with the decision within five days after being served.

Following the State's response, the case was referred to the Center for Judicial Dispute Resolution and Citizenship (Cejusc for Public Health). During the negotiations, administrative inquiries were conducted, and a technical opinion from the Technical Support Center (NAT) regarding the patient's clinical condition was requested, as well as a survey of medication prices at local pharmacies.

As the State Attorney General did not provide a response during the negotiations, on November 13, Judge Agamenon Moreno Júnior ordered the purchase of the medication from the pharmacy offering the lowest price - R$7,600 for three months of treatment. The acquired Cannabidiol will have a minimum validity of 18 months and will be provided to the patient by the State Department of Health.

According to the Public Defender, the prescription of Cannabidiol was considered the only viable alternative for controlling the teenager's symptoms. “Cannabidiol has shown proven benefits in managing severe neurological conditions and behavioral changes. In this case, it is essential to ensure the well-being and quality of life of the young man and his family,” stated De Nardi.

With information from Public Defender's Office of the State of Mato Grosso