Fiocruz closes agreement to produce weight loss pens in Brazil

The decision for more rigorous control in the prescription and dispensation of this type of medicine was taken by the Anvisa Board of Directors in April and came into force 60 days after publication in the Federal Official Gazette.

In a statement, the agency reported that the measure aims to protect health from the Brazilian population, “especially since a high number of adverse events related to the use of these drugs were observed outside Anvisa approved indications.”

Indiscriminate use

The retention of the weight loss pens was defended by entities such as the Brazilian Society of Endocrinology and Metabology, the Brazilian Society of Diabetes and the Brazilian Association for the Study of Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome.

In an open note, they mention that the indiscriminate use of this type of medicine generates concerns about the health of the population and the access of patients who really need this type of treatment.

“The sale of LPG-1 agonists without a prescription, although irregular, is frequent. The current legislation requires medical revenue for the dispensation of these medicines, but not the retention of it (revenue) by pharmacies. This gap facilitates indiscriminate access and self-medication, exposing individuals to unnecessary risks,” said the document.