# Nursing and mental health policy developments in Brazil > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/nursing-and-mental-health-policy-developments-in-brazil > Updated: 2026-08-13T19:02:54.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2. In Brazil, legislative and professional developments are addressing nursing competencies and mental health care protocols. Federal deputy Rejane introduced Bill PL 4.840/2026, which proposes that all public and private pharmacies must accept prescriptions issued by nurses registered with the Conselho Regional de Enfermagem (COREN). The bill aims to enforce existing prescribing competencies recognized under current law rather than creating new powers. Concurrently, health professionals are working on specialized care protocols. At a seminar hosted by the State University of Rio de Janeiro, representatives from the Federal Council of Nursing (Cofen) discussed a national nursing protocol designed to improve care for individuals in crisis involving alcohol and psychoactive substances. Additionally, Fiocruz has scheduled an international seminar for October 2026 to address the medicalization of life and the use of psychotropic drugs through a psychosocial lens. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-13: Brazil health seminars address drug policy and mental health care Health experts in Brazil are addressing drug policy and mental health care, focusing on new nursing protocols for substance crisis and the rising use of psychiatric medications. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-health-seminars-address-drug-policy-and-mental-health-care ### 2026-07-31: Brazil Bill Guarantees Acceptance of Nurse Prescriptions in Pharmacies Brazilian deputy Rejane introduced PL 4.840/2026 to mandate pharmacies accept nurse‑issued prescriptions, citing existing laws and imposing penalties for refusals. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/brazil-bill-guarantees-acceptance-of-nurse-prescriptions-in-pharmacies --- Cite as: Nursing and mental health policy developments in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/nursing-and-mental-health-policy-developments-in-brazil