Brazil’s Medical Council Seeks to Overturn Anvisa Move Allowing Nurses to Prescribe Antibiotics

Overview

• Anvisa updated the SNGPC this month to register nurses with Coren as prescribers of antimicrobials when supported by applicable law.
• The update does not apply to medicines under Portaria SVS/MS nº 344/1998, excluding narcotics, psychotropics, benzodiazepines and other controlled substances.
• The Conselho Federal de Medicina argues the change exceeds Anvisa’s authority, conflicts with Law nº 12.842/2013 and risks inappropriate antibiotic use with harm to patients and higher system costs.
• The Conselho Federal de Enfermagem supports the change, saying it sought the inclusion last year, cites legal bases in Law nº 7.498/1986 and PNAB, and is preparing a resolution for public consultation this month.
• The system change is already in effect nationwide, and Anvisa had not publicly responded to the CFM’s revocation request at the time of the reports.