[REVISION HISTORY]

Anvisa regulation of digital medicine sales in Brazil

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-22 01:08 UTC → 2026-08-22 10:08 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has revoked sanitary restrictions that prohibited the sale and advertising of medicines on several major digital platforms, including iFood, Rappi, Mercado Livre, Americanas, Submarino, and Shopee. This regulatory shift follows the implementation of Law 15.357/2026, which allows licensed pharmacies and drugstores to utilize e-commerce and delivery platforms for logistics and distribution. Anvisa emphasizes that this does not grant automatic or unrestricted authorization for these platforms to sell medications. Instead, the platforms function as intermediaries or logistics providers; the actual sale must still be conducted by duly licensed pharmaceutical establishments that comply with all current sanitary regulations. The agency is currently initiating the process to formalize rules regarding medication types, transport and packaging requirements, traceability, and digital pharmaceutical assistance for medical prescriptions. As the regulatory framework develops, consumer concerns regarding safety have emerged. A ~~survey~~ market research study by the QualiBest ~~Institute for Abrafarma indicates~~ Institute, commissioned by the Brazilian Association of Pharmacy Chains (Abrafarma), reveals that 69% of Brazilian consumers fear purchasing counterfeit medications ~~online, with 85% of~~ online. Among those ~~surveyed holding~~ surveyed, 85% hold online sales platforms responsible for the presence of unregistered or fraudulent drugs. Additionally, 59% of respondents expressed fear regarding expired or improperly stored products, and 54% worried about medications lacking Anvisa registration. Most respondents (82%) believe digital sales must be strictly linked to authorized pharmacies, while 71% argue that medicines should not be treated as common commodities on digital platforms.

Versions

Only revisions since CLSTR began indexing content versions appear here. Select a version to see what changed compared to the one before it.