Controversial Brazil Pharmacy Decree to Be Enforced by June

A controversial decree on pharmacy dispensing issued by Brazil's president in January will come into effect in June, according to local drug regulator Anvisa. In an apparent move to prevent overconsumption of pharmaceuticals, the measure will allow drug packets to be split and sorted into new boxes. The new regulation has prompted claims from the research-based industry that it will spur Brazil's presently small-scale counterfeit drug industry.

The government, which is attempting to expand the general level of drug provision in the country, hopes that the decree will cut average prescription drug costs by as much as 20%. However, health professionals continue to cite a number of safety concerns, including a lack of properly trained pharmacists and the risk of overdose.

Meanwhile, the move's supporters highlight the fact that the practice is common in developed drug markets including the UK and the US, while others note that regulation in these markets is likely to be better enforced.