Brasília – The Brazilian Association of Pharmacies and Drugstores (Abrafarma) has reiterated its opposition to the sale of medicines through marketplace platforms, warning that such practices may compromise consumer safety and undermine public health regulations. The statement comes amid growing debate following Mercado Livre’s acquisition of Cuidamos Farma, signaling its entry into the pharmaceutical retail sector.

According to Abrafarma, the marketplace model poses legal and operational challenges, including risks of horizontal concentration in the drug retail market and vertical integration between pharmacies and e-commerce conglomerates. The association argues that medication sales require strict compliance with sanitary regulations and must involve direct oversight by qualified pharmacists, conditions that are not guaranteed in open online platforms.

Abrafarma also called on health authorities to strengthen surveillance and maintain the integrity of the regulatory framework that governs medicine distribution in Brazil. The entity defends that any modernization of the pharmaceutical retail environment must occur within existing safety and ethical parameters established by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

Source: Broadcast

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