Panel SA: Cannabidiol market sees threat after STJ decision on ANS role

The growing cannabidiol market in Brazil begins to assess the effects that the sector may feel after the decision of the STJ to release operators from paying for treatments that are not on the ANS (National Supplementary Health Agency) list.

For Tarso Araújo, executive director of BRCANN (Brazilian Association of the Cannabinoid Industry), the measure should make it difficult for patients who use treatment with products derived from marijuana.

“As medical cannabis is not on the list of ANS, it will be much more difficult for patients from now on to have access to innovative treatments in the health area”, says Araújo.

The STJ also understood that the operator is not obliged to pay for a procedure if there is a similar option on the ANS list, but if there is no therapeutic substitute, coverage of the treatment indicated by the responsible health professional may occur, in exceptional circumstances.

As there is this possibility of exception, Araújo says that patients will continue asking in court for procedures that are off the list to be offered.

Joana Cunha with Paulo Ricardo Martins and Gilmara Santos ​