HempMeds Brasil has announced that the Brazilian government has authorized a doctor’s prescription for the company’s hemp cannabidiol (CBD) oil product Real Scientific Hemp Oil (RSHO) to treat patients in the country suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.
This marks the first time that Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency ANVISA has granted the filling of a prescription for RSHO to specifically help patients combat the effects of Multiple Sclerosis. Per the Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF), more than 2.5 million people worldwide are affected by MS, a progressive disease of the central nervous system, for which there is currently no cure. In Brazil, MS prevalence is estimated to range from 1.36-20 per 100,000 inhabitants.
“We commend the Brazilian government for recognizing nationwide health problems that exist, including Multiple Sclerosis and a multitude of other chronic medical conditions, and looking for solutions that can help alleviate those problems,” said Medical Marijuana, Inc. CEO Stuart Titus. “Brazil has embraced the therapeutic value of medical cannabinoids and is helping its people treat the symptoms of certain conditions with no known cure or limited treatment options.”
In May 2015, HempMeds Brasil – a Medical Marijuana, Inc. subsidiary – became the first company to offer legal medicinal cannabis products to Brazil after receiving import approval for those suffering from specific medical conditions. The Brazilian government now waives import taxes for RSHO, subsidizes its cost and covers the product under the country’s health insurance.