Cuiabá centralizes thalidomide dispensing for leprosy treatment

The Cuiabá City Hall, through the Municipal Health Secretariat, has begun providing the medication thalidomide at the Centro de Especialidades Médicas (CEM) in the city center. This measure follows the accreditation of the unit by the State Sanitary Surveillance.

Thalidomide is used to treat specific conditions, including certain manifestations of leprosy, in accordance with Ministry of Health protocols. Due to the high risk of severe fetal malformations, the medication is subject to strict prescription, monitoring, and dispensing rules.

To ensure rigorous control, the medication will not be distributed through the 72 Family Health Units (USFs) in Cuiabá. Instead, dispensing will be concentrated at the CEM Centro, which possesses the necessary structure to meet regulatory requirements. Patients must present required documentation and a special control prescription on a yellow form to receive the treatment. This initiative is part of an expansion of municipal pharmaceutical assistance and does not incur additional costs for the city, as the medication is provided through the public health network.