Brazil minister: "Cancer pill" to be distributed only after medical proof

Health Minister Ricardo Barros said this Monday (May 16) that if the results of studies on the effects of phosphoethanolamine, popularly dubbed “cancer pill,” do not produce its medical proof, the drug will not be included in the National Medicines List and it will not be distributed by the Unified Public Health Care System (SUS), even though it has been authorized by a bill.

"The Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) is conducting the studies. I required ANVISA to be responsive not only to this case but to many others cases which are quickly needing to approve new drugs and active substances. ANVISA needs to be more responsive, but ensuring consumer security and protection."

The São Paulo state Secretary of Health, David Uip, reported that when the laboratory responsible for producing phosphoethanolamine delivers the material, the state government will quickly encapsulate the medicine and within six months it will already produce results.

"It is the first research to be done and we will achieve the final results in a very short time." Uip also stated that he shall meet with the minister on Wednesday (18) and Thursday (19).

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta