SP Government Authorized Free Distribution of Cannabidiol (CBD) Medicines in State Public Health System
Now the population of São Paulo can have access to medical cannabis through the SUS. This is because the governor of São Paulo, Tarcísio de Freitas (Republican), approved a law at the end of January authorizing the free distribution of cannabidiol-based medicines (CBD) in the public health network of the state.
With the legislation, medicines must be registered in advance with the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). They will be distributed to patients with a medical report and prescription. In addition, you must have a certificate stating that these people are unable to buy the drug.
The importation and the whole process of obtaining the treatment can be a very expensive and slow process. This is because it is a raw material whose input cannot yet be grown locally, as defined by Brazilian legislation.
The good news is that today it is already possible to count on a local production of this type of treatment, with different stages of the production chain carried out on Brazilian soil, says Dr. Pedro Alvarenga, endocrinologist and consultant at Ease Labs Pharma.
“With the due approval of Anvisa and studies demonstrating its effectiveness, we have followed important progress in relation to the availability by SUS. An example is the PL recently approved by Governor Tarcísio de Freitas, in São Paulo. This will allow more people to have access to treatment of this type,” he points out.
The law represents a public health breakthrough, as cannabidiol-based medicines are used in treatments for people with autism, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and epilepsy, as well as rare diseases and syndromes.
What diseases can be treated with CBD?
The endocrinologist explains that, since it is a substance that acts on different tissues and systems of our body, the therapeutic potential of CBD is also varied. Therefore, this is a possible treatment for some of these pathologies:
Anxiety and Depression: to have anxiolytic properties, it helps in the treatment of these two conditions. “There are studies showing it can be effective, even when combined with traditional medicines. Also, recent research shows benefits in burnout syndrome, which may also be a pharmacological possibility in this condition,” he says.
Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases: the use of CBD can help control symptoms and, consequently, improve the quality of life of these patients. Furthermore, it is known that people with Alzheimer’s can have side effects and contraindications to various medications. Therefore, the use of cannabis can be an alternative or complementary to the usual therapy. “There are already pre-clinical studies evaluating the anti-inflammatory potential of cannabis in delaying the progression of these pathologies, showing promising signs in these cases,” says the doctor.
Autism: the use of the substance has been shown to be effective in the treatment of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There are reports of decreased anxiety, irritation or aggression, as well as improved sleep in children after use of the substance. A study published in Nature Magazine has also brought good results regarding the use of CBD in the treatment of the disorder, the expert points out.
Epilepsy: there is solid evidence of its effectiveness in reducing the frequency of seizures in patients treated with CBD, as well as an overall improvement in the quality of life of people with refractory epilepsy, says Dr. Pedro.
fibromyalgia: to act directly in areas related to sleep disorders and chronic pain, studies indicate that the substance may also be effective in treating this condition, says the doctor.
Cannabidiol benefits and substance care
The endocrinologist reiterates that cannabidiol is another option that doctors and patients can have in the treatment of various diseases, such as the ones mentioned above. In addition, unwanted side effects are less common than with other drugs and can be combined treatment with therapeutic planning for various pathologies.
However, although cannabis treatment is proving to be effective in the management of various pathologies, with scientific bases and important studies in progress, medical monitoring and the use of products regularly registered by Anvisa (available only in pharmacies) are essential. says the doctor. This is the best way to ensure patient safety.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
