The growing interest of pharmacies and distribution agencies in marketing medical cannabis derivatives led the Ministry of Health (Minsa) to establish new requirements for establishments wishing to enter this market.
The measure responded to an increased number of applications from companies interested in participating in a market that began to develop after the adoption of Act No. 242 of 13 October 2021, regulating the medicinal and therapeutic use of cannabis and its products in Panama.
According to National Bureau of Pharmacy and Drugs, pharmacies and distributing agencies have to have an explicit authorisation from the licensee - that is, an undertaking authorized to manufacture or market these products - before offering them to the public.
The establishments currently handling controlled substances shall have only a notarized document attesting to that authorisation.
On the other hand, pharmacies and distributors that do not manage these substances will have to meet an additional requirement: undergoing a technical inspection by the National Bureau of Pharmacy and Drugs to check that they meet the conditions required by the regulations before obtaining an appropriate authorisation.
The entity recalled that Executive Decree No. 6 of 4 April 2025, regulating Act 242, authorized licensees to market products derived from medical cannabis through licensed pharmaceutical establishments.
The new provisions reflect the advance of a market that, while still incipient in Panama, begins to awaken the interest of more pharmaceutical establishments.
The National Bureau of Pharmacy and Drugs attributed new provisions to an increased interest of establishments to market medical cannabis products.
Nevertheless, the communiqué does not give figures that will allow this growth to be dimensioned.
The growth of this sector coincides with the start of marketing these products in the country.
The National Director of Pharmacy and Drugs of Minma, Uriel Pére, recently confirmed the opening of the first pharmacy dedicated exclusively to the sale of products related to medical cannabis.
The official stated that at this first stage the establishment will market only products containing CBD (cannabidiol), one of the natural compounds derived from the cannabis plant that does not have psychoactive effects.
He added that these products can only be purchased under medical prescription as established by the law in force.
The opening up of these establishments and the interest of other pharmacies and distribution agencies to join this business help explain the new provisions issued by the National Bureau of Pharmacy and Drugs, which currently requires the modification of operation licences and compliance with additional requirements to ensure monitoring and traceability of these products.
The commercialization of medical cannabis in Panama was made possible after the adoption of Act 242 of 2021 regulating the medical and therapeutic use of cannabis and its products.
Nevertheless, market implementation has been gradual with the development of the Regulation, licensing and approval of first establishments authorized to participate in the supply chain.
The law lays down that only licensees authorized by the State can conduct activities related to the manufacture, importation, distribution and commercialization of these products while pharmacies act as disposal points, as long as they meet the requirements established by the health authority.
With the opening of the first specialized pharmacy and with more establishments interested in commercializing these products, the market for medical cannabis begins to form in Panama, while the authorities seek their growth under strict health and traceability controls.
