Brazilians are, more and more, betting on treatments based on medicinal plants and phytotherapeutic drugs: between 2013 and 2015 they are looking for these products in the Single Health System (SUS) more than dobrou, crescendo 161%. Three years ago, nearly 6 thousand people sought a basic care pharmacy to receive supplies; Not last year, this attempt was made to pass to quase 16 thousand people. As an initiative, created by the Ministry of Health to guarantee safe access and rational use of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutics in the country, it is already present in nearly 3,250 units in 930 Brazilian municipalities.
“The phytoterapicos have an important participation in the medicine market because they also reflect our culture, our tradition and History. Além disso, there are low-cost medications that some of the population is accustomed to, so they learn to use them in their own countries and countries. “It is important that we expand access to non-SUS phytotherapeutics,” said Minister Ricardo Barros at this fourth fair (23) during the event that marks a decade of politics at the Brazilian International Convention Center (CICB), in Brasilia (DF). .
Learn more about the national phytotherapeutic policy by accessing Web Rádio Saúde here and here.
The celebration was launched with a commemorative card and personalized seal in partnership with the Brazilian Post and Telegraph Company (ECT). The two thousand units will be distributed in correspondence from the Ministry of Health. The card will be available for the next 30 days at the Correios Agency of the Chamber of Deputies; After this period, it will be integrated into the collection of the ECT Postal Museum.
INDICATIONS – On average, per year, the policy benefits 12 thousand people, as they use industrialized phytotherapeutic medicines, manipulated phytotherapeutic medicines, vegetative drugs and fresh medicinal plants. Currently, SUS offers twelve phytotherapeutic medicines. They are indicated, for example, for gynecological use, treatment of burns, therapeutic aids for gastrite and ulcer, as well as medications indicated for arthritis and osteoartrite.
According to the National Program for Access and Quality of Basic Care (PMAQ), the phytotherapeutics most used in the public network are guaco, espinheira-santa and soy isoflavone, indicated as adjuvants in the treatment of respiratory problems , gastrite and ulcer and climacteric symptoms, respectively.
Phytotherapeutic products and medicinal plants, as well as all conventional medicines, are tested to ensure their effectiveness and both risks of use, and also to guarantee the quality of the input. It is up to the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and the Municipal and State Health Surveillance to control these medications.
NATIONAL PROGRAM – In 2006 it was published in the National Policy on Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapy (Decree No. 5,813/2006), which is completing 10 years of publication. Its directions are, then, detailed in the National Program for Medicinal and Phytotherapeutic Plants (PNPMF) (Interministerial Portaria nº 2,960/2008). The objective of the Policy and the PNPMF is “to guarantee the Brazilian population the safe access and rational use of medicinal and phytotherapeutic plants, promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity, and the development of the production chain and the national industry.”
INVESTMENTS – Since 2012, the Secretary of Science, Technology and Strategic Inputs of the Ministry of Health has invested more than R$ 30 million in 78 medicinal and phytotherapeutic plant projects in the SUS area.
The projects have the objective of strengthening the production chain in municipalities, states and the Federal District, especially the offer of phytotherapeutics to SUS users. The 78 projects that have received federal resources are distributed throughout all regions of the country and are structured from two editions of the Ministry of Health. At the moment, there are 31 local production initiatives, 44 pharmaceutical assistance initiatives and three health development and registration of phytotherapeutic medicines from the National Medicines Registry (Rename) by official public laboratories.
COURSE FOR DOCTORS – The Ministry of Health held, in 2012, the first Phytotherapy course for Doctors, in the Distance Education (EAD) modality. Initially, 300 professionals from all regions of the country were trained. This year, a second course will have to be taken, with a forecast of 600 vacancies for doctors from all over Brazil. The objective is to expand the knowledge on the topic and sensitize health and population professionals for this therapeutic option, allowing the Brazilian population to access phytotherapy with effectiveness, safety and quality.
Also, the Ministry of Health, through events, seeks to promote integration between the production sectors, health services, academia, Anvisa and other ministries, in order to identify the potential for the production of phytotherapeutic medicines.
IN THE PHARMACIES – Currently, the Brazilian market sells various phytotherapeutic medicines, simple and associated, with effect in various areas of the human organism. For the Central Nervous System, for example, are marketed at Passiflora sp., Valerian officinalis, Hypericum perforatum, Piper methysticum andMelissa officinalis.
Research groups on mental health are carrying out studies with phytotherapeutic medications indicated for the treatment of psychiatric disorders, which demonstrate positive results. For example, studies demonstrate the superiority of Passiflora incarnate in relation to placebo in the treatment of anxiety symptoms, with its conclusions classified as preliminary.
A similar position is found in the monograph of the European Community, which considers preliminary evidence of anxiolytic efficacy of Passiflora, but also recognizes its traditionally established use for “relief of discrete symptoms of mental stress and sleep aid.”

By Victor Maciel
Attention to the Press
(61) 3315-3174 / 3580 / 2351 / 2745