The Ministry of Health Grants 7 Licenses: The First Medicinal Cannabis Pharmacy Opens in Panama

The Ministry of Health has given the green light. Seven licenses have been granted for the sale of medicinal cannabis, and one of them has already resulted in a concrete action: the opening of the first pharmacy specializing in these products in Panama.  The confirmation came from the Ministry of Health itself, through the Director of Pharmacies and Drugs, Uriel Pérez, who explained in an interview on TVN that one of the licensees decided to open an exclusive location. Pérez also stated that others will be able to distribute the products through existing pharmacies that already have the necessary permits. All of this will be done under health supervision and with clearly defined controls. 

To ensure transparency, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) has activated a dedicated section on medicinal cannabis on the website of the National Directorate of Pharmacies and Drugs. There, users can find information on authorized products, available batches, and which pharmacies carry them.   Authorities emphasized that these medications are not available without a prescription. They are not sold on a case-by-case basis or for common ailments.   Access depends on a medical diagnosis and the specific compound prescribed for each case, always requiring a prescription and professional monitoring. 

The products are divided into two groups. CBD, cannabidiol, can be obtained with a standard medical prescription and will be used in cases such as chronic pain, in presentations such as oils, creams, or tablets.   On the other hand, THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, will require a special prescription, similar to that used for controlled medications, and will be intended for more complex diseases such as refractory epilepsy or multiple sclerosis. 

For now, all medications are imported. The regulations establish a two-year transition period for authorized companies to cultivate, process, and manufacture these products in Panama, under the regulation of the Ministry of Health and with support from the Ministry of Agricultural Development.  The Ministry of Health also acknowledges that the challenge is not only technical. Breaking the stigma remains an ongoing task. Therefore, they announced that they will launch information campaigns aimed at the general public and healthcare professionals, focusing on the controlled medical use of medicinal cannabis.