The government of Panama has announced that it will launch information campaigns aimed at the population and health professionals, focused on the medical and controlled use of cannabis. Seven licenses have been granted for the commercialization of medicinal cannabis, and one of them has already resulted in a concrete fact: the first pharmacy specializing in this type of product opened in Panama. The confirmation came from the Minsa itself, through the director of Pharmacies and Drugs, Uriel Pérez, who in an interview on TVN explained that one of the licensees decided to open an exclusive establishment. Pérez also stated that others will be able to distribute the products through pharmacies that are already operating and have the corresponding permits. There, it will be possible to consult which authorized products are available, the batches available, and in which pharmacies they can be found. The information will be open to patients and health personnel. The authorities insisted that these medications are not for free consumption. All under sanitary supervision and with defined controls. To keep the process transparent, the Minsa activated a specific section on medicinal cannabis on the website of the National Directorate of Pharmacies and Drugs. They are not sold on one's own initiative or for common ailments. Access will depend on the medical diagnosis and the type of compound indicated for each case, always with a prescription and professional follow-up. The products are divided into two groups. CBD, cannabidiol, can be acquired with a regular 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 regulation establishes a two-year transition period for the authorized companies to be able to cultivate, process, and manufacture these products in Panama, under Minsa regulation and with the support of the Ministry of Agricultural Development. From Health, they also recognize that the challenge is not only technical. Breaking the stigma remains a pending task.
