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Bill Advances in the Senate and Permits Sale of Medications in Supermarkets.
The Senate took a decisive step in the discussion about the sale of medications outside traditional pharmacies. The Social Affairs Committee unanimously approved a bill that allows supermarkets to set up in-store pharmacies and sell medications, including those under special control. The proposal received 13 favorable votes and now moves to the Chamber of Deputies, unless there is a request for a plenary vote.
According to g1, the text stipulates that supermarkets must have a specific space for the operation of pharmacies, with a requirement for full-time pharmacists and compliance with sanitary surveillance regulations.
If also approved by the deputies and sanctioned by the president, the bill could significantly alter the dynamics of the pharmaceutical market in Brazil.
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What Changes with the Approval
The bill does not allow the sale of medications on regular shelves. Instead, supermarkets must maintain structured pharmacies, either in-house or outsourced, in exclusive areas.
These units must comply with all technical standards and have qualified professionals to guide the consumer.
In practice, supermarkets will be able to sell everything from over-the-counter medications to those under special control.
In the case of the latter, there will be specific protocols: the product may only be released after payment, and if the purchase occurs at a checkout outside the pharmacy, the medication must be delivered in a sealed and tamper-proof package.
Arguments in Favor of the Bill
The proposal addresses a long-standing demand from entities representing the supermarket and wholesale sectors.
For the Brazilian Supermarket Association (Abras) and other organizations, the measure may increase public access to medications and lower prices through competition.
The Minister of Health, Alexandre Padilha, also publicly supported the bill’s progress.
In a video released by Abras, he described the measure as an “important partnership,” capable of modernizing the shopping experience and facilitating public access to health.
Resistance from the Pharmaceutical Sector
On the other hand, the proposal faced strong opposition from associations linked to pharmacists and drugstores. Entities warn that the sale of medications in supermarkets could stimulate indiscriminate consumption, jeopardizing patient safety.
According to the president of the National Federation of Pharmacists (Fenafar), Fábio Basílio, the changes made by the rapporteur, Senator Humberto Costa (PT-PE), improved the original text by restricting sales to exclusive spaces and requiring the physical presence of pharmacists.
Still, the sector remains cautious regarding the economic and sanitary impacts.
Historical Context of the Proposal
The discussion about selling medications in supermarkets is not new. Between 1994 and 1995, during the implementation of the Real Plan, a provisional measure temporarily allowed the sale of over-the-counter medications in these locations.
However, the rule was overturned by Congress and later confirmed by the Superior Court of Justice (STJ) in 2004.
Today, only hypermarkets with independent pharmacies can operate in this segment. With the new bill, the integration between the market and pharmacy would be permitted, as long as legal requirements are met.
The sale of medications in supermarkets, including those under special control, divides opinions and mobilizes sectors with conflicting interests.
On one side, retail representatives and the Ministry of Health advocate for increased access and lower prices.
On the other, health professionals warn of risks related to self-medication and weakening of traditional pharmacies.
And you, do you believe that allowing the sale of medications in supermarkets will make life easier for the population or increase the risks of improper use?
Leave your opinion in the comments; your insight can enrich this debate.
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