Anvisa (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária) has enacted new measures that enable the electronic issuance of controlled prescription pads, specifically the yellow and blue types which are commonly used for medications requiring strict oversight, such as antidepressants and anxiolytics. Starting from this Friday (the 13th), new formats of these prescriptions will be available for print at commercial printing shops, rather than from local health authorities, streamlining the process and making it more accessible to healthcare providers.

The fully electronic issuance of yellow and blue prescriptions will be facilitated through an integrated platform connected to the SNCR (Sistema Nacional de Controle de Receituários). This system was designed to enhance the safety and regulation of medical prescriptions for drugs that fall under special control. Although the complete electronic system is not expected to be functional until June 1, Anvisa has confirmed that there will be no immediate changes to the existing electronic issuance methods prior to that date.

The establishment of these guidelines marks a significant step forward in modernizing Brazil's healthcare prescribing practices, aiming to reduce administrative burdens and enhance patient safety. The move indicates an acknowledgment of the growing importance of digital solutions in health management and the need for more efficient systems to handle controlled substances while maintaining rigorous oversight.