Pharmacies and supermarkets win allies in dispute over drugs

The arm around the Bill that allows the sale of non-prescription drugs (or MIPs) in supermarkets and similar won new contours this week, with pharmacies and supermarket owners, receiving support from different professional bodies and industry. During a public hearing held Tuesday (27) in the Chamber of Deputies, the Federal Council of Pharmacy (CFF) and the Federal Council of Medicine (CFM) stood next to the pharmaceutical and retail desaconselharam the relaxation of list of establishments that can commercialize MIPs. On the other hand, manufacturers gathered in Brazilian Industry Association of non-prescription drugs (Abimip) expressed support for the election of the supermarket segment. President of the Advisory Board of Abimip, George Raymond stated that 60% of countries allow such practice. "In England [supermarkets] can sell painkillers, antacids, antiseptic, throat lozenges and cold medicines. Already in the U.S., the MIP is everywhere ", argued the representative of Abmip. "The world has practiced marketing of MIPs in other outlets that no drugstores, but in Brazil there is still a monopoly," said lawyer and legal consultant of the Brazilian Association of wholesalers and distributors (Abad), Alessandro Dessimoni. According to him, the increased capillarity in the distribution would benefit the population of smaller cities. If approved in Brazil through the PL 9482/18 (the proposal must pass through two committees before going to the plenary), the new rules could generate 1 million points of sale new acting with the MIPs (according to accounts of the Abad), since "similar" as mini markets and convenience stores could also benefit. "It's not the first time that you try to [the relaxation]. This is the second or maybe even the third. All they have been buried, "reminded the President of the CFF, Walter George John. One of the occasions occurred in the years 1990, when supermarkets included MIPs on the shelves for a period of time. According to data cited by the supermarket, the price of some products came to fall 35% at the time. The proposal, however, raises concern among advice health professionals, who fear a "trivialization" of MIPs and a consequent rise in the incidence of self-medication by Brazilian – which, ironically, would be more common among higher social classes or among individuals with higher education. "The misuse of medication already causing 20000 deaths per year in Brazil," said the representative of CFM, Rosylaine Birth rock. "It's clear that if you want to increase the outlets for purely economic interests," added Walter John, the CFF. Even stating that the subject is in technical analysis and that an official positioning must be issued in the next few days, the national health surveillance Agency (Anvisa) also made a series of caveats the theme. Advises the Office of the President of the Agency, Andrea Raj Takara noted that the Bill under discussion "does not mention quality and health requirements" for new establishments that work with MIPs, including aspects such as guard, handling, conservation and traceability of products. "The ease in access has a good side, but also generates an incentive to consumption that leads to self-medication and abuse", Andrea-who also questioned how the supermarkets if prepariam to meet the "requirement of the pharmacist's assistance or technician during opening hours "of establishments that sell MIPs. This argument was hit later by the legal adviser of Abad. "Today, with the internet sales, which the guidance given by the pharmacist?" asked Alessandro Dessimoni. "If there is so much concern about poisoning, that pharmacies pass the MIP to behind the counter", caused the lawyer.