Cannabidiol prescription will be maintained despite veto
Founder of Apepi (Association to Support Research and Patients of Medicinal Cannabis), lawyer Margarete Brito went this Monday (17) to the institution's social networks in order to reassure families and patients currently under treatment with cannabidiol (CBD). The reason for concern is the resolution of the CFM (Federal Council of Medicine) that has made the prescription of medicinal Cannabis even more restrictive in relation to the previous standard, from 2014. "I'm here to say that this will not affect the distribution of Apepi oils or our commitment to our partner doctors," said Brito. Published last Friday (14), resolution 2,324/22 restricts the prescription of cannabidiol to the treatments of very specific types of epilepsies in children and adolescents "refractory to the conventional therapies in Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Tuberous Sclerosis Complex". However, currently, there are recommendations for the use of CBD and other cannabis derivatives in the treatment of more than 20 medical conditions, including chronic pain, fibromyalgia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and depression. Prescription occurs in an "off-label" mode the physician assesses the risk-benefit and assumes responsibility for the prescription. Created in 2016, Apepi has 4,500 associates, of which 80% are not covered by the new CFM resolution, according to the founder. Located in Rio de Janeiro, the association won this year in court the right to plant, handle and supply cannabis extract to members. Until then, they acted in "civil disobedience", as Brito used to say. "Everything will go on as it was before. The doctors who prescribe cannabidiol said they will continue to prescribe it, and Apepi will continue to supply the oils. We work with very brave doctors, who never bowed to the absurdity of the council and who said they will continue to put their foot down," the lawyer told Folha. Founder of the Cultive - Cannabis and Health Association, Cidinha Carvalho says that the work will continue. The organization serves 200 patients in Sao Paulo and also has legal authorization to plant marijuana and produce the oil. "This is an unconstitutional resolution, which violates the fundamental right to health", she said, referring to article 196 of the Constitution. "We are not going to change anything, especially because the CFM has always restricted [access to cannabidiol], it has always ignored science ." Although it only authorized the use of medicinal Cannabis for the treatment of epilepsy, the previous resolution of the CFM was not categorical in prohibiting the prescription for other cases. The new rule says that the prescription can only occur in clinical studies authorized by the system formed by the National Research Ethics Commission and Research Ethics Councils (CEP/Conep). In addition, the 2014 text authorized only psychiatrists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons to prescribe CBD, something that was overturned by the new resolution.