Senate committee prepares to vote on bill to allow sale of medicine in supermarkets

The Senate's Social Affairs Committee (CAS) is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, the 17th, to evaluate a bill that would authorize supermarkets to sell over-the-counter medications . The bill was authored by Senator Efraim Filho (União-PB) and is being reported by Humberto Costa (Workers' Party-PE).

The version presented by Humberto differs from the original. In his proposed report, the Workers' Party member adds the requirement for a fully equipped pharmacy or drugstore to be installed within the supermarket, physically isolated from the rest of the operation. The facility must comply with the health standards of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa). The politician also requires a pharmacist to be present on-site.

It's worth noting that the matter was already on the committee's agenda on the 10th, but was removed from the list of bills ready for voting following a request from Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR). The congressman pointed out that the bill didn't address the development of private label medications. According to the bill's rapporteur, however, there is already an Anvisa regulation prohibiting the development of private label medications by pharmacies and drugstores.

If the bill advances in the Committee, it will still need to receive approval from the full Senate. After that, it will move on to the Chamber of Deputies.

(With information from the Senate Agency)