Summary of Fitoterápicos têm eficácia comprovada e registro na Anvisa

00:00:00 - 00:10:00

In this YouTube video, Ana Cecília Bezerra, the coordinator of herbal medicines at Anvisa, explains the importance of registered and regulated herbal medicines, known as phytotherapics. She highlights that phytotherapics undergo the same quality and safety controls as other medicines, and there are two classes: phytotherapic medicines and traditional phytotherapic products. Ana Cecília emphasizes the need for caution when purchasing unregulated products, as they may not be the desired plant or may be contaminated. Anvisa is responsible for authorizing and monitoring establishments that produce and sell phytotherapic products. Consumers should ensure they have adequate knowledge of the plant and check the hygiene conditions of the place where the plant is purchased. Any plant can be used to make a phytotherapic medicine or product as long as it meets the safety, efficacy, and quality requirements. However, there is a list of prohibited plants, and companies must comply with Brazilian regulations to obtain registration. The registration process takes approximately one year.

• 00:00:00 In this section, Ana Cecília Bezerra, the coordinator of herbal medicines at Anvisa, explains that phytotherapics are medicinal products made from medicinal plants and undergo the same quality and safety controls as other registered medicines. There are two classes of phytotherapics: phytotherapic medicines, which have undergone standardized clinical studies, and traditional phytotherapic products, which have a history of safe and effective use. The main difference between a medicinal plant and a phytotherapic product is that the latter is a processed form of the plant, such as tablets or syrups, that must be purchased from authorized establishments. Ana Cecília emphasizes that all registered products evaluated by Anvisa are safe and effective, and warns the population to be cautious when purchasing unregulated products, as they may not be the desired plant or may be contaminated. Anvisa is responsible for authorizing and monitoring establishments that produce and sell phytotherapic products, including pharmacies and pharmaceutical industries, as well as conducting inspections in regular and non-regular establishments, such as fairs and producers. Consumers should ensure they have adequate knowledge of the plant and check the hygiene conditions of the place where the plant is purchased to avoid intoxication. Any plant can be used to make a phytotherapic medicine or product, as long as it meets the safety, efficacy, and quality requirements. However, there is a list of prohibited plants, including toxic plants, and companies must comply with Brazilian regulations to obtain registration. The registration process for phytotherapic medicines takes approximately one year, but delays may occur if companies fail to submit the necessary documents.
• 00:05:00 In this section, the speaker explains the difference between herbal medicine, known as fitoterápicos, and regular medication. While regular medication is synthesized in a chemical process, herbal medicine is derived from plants and contains a combination of substances. It is emphasized that when purchasing herbal medicine, it is important to read the label and ensure hygiene and authenticity. The Anvisa, the Brazilian health regulatory agency, acknowledges the effectiveness of herbal medicine, but cautions against excessive use. The speaker also mentions that the Ministry of Health is promoting the use of herbal medicine and encouraging professionals to receive training in this field. Finally, the speaker mentions that the Brazilian population, particularly in the Northeast and Southeast regions, has a high level of trust and usage of herbal medicine. The Anvisa has released a guide on herbal medicine, which serves as a reference for the industry, regulators, and the general public.
• 00:10:00 In this section, the speaker discusses the challenges faced in promoting the use of herbal medicines in Brazil. They mention the need for increased awareness and acceptance among healthcare professionals and the general population. They highlight that although the population is interested in using herbal medicines, the number of available products is still limited compared to other countries like Germany. They express hope that with changes in regulations and increased availability, more people will benefit from these products in the future.