Rio de Janeiro city opens medicinal plant pharmacy

With the aim of democratizing access to medicinal plants and phytotherapy (a form of treatment that uses medicinal herbs to treat and prevent diseases), the first Farmácia Viva de Maricá was opened in the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. This initiative is the result of the Mari’ká Farmacopeia project, implemented by the Maricá Development Company (Codemar), linked to the City Hall, and the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ).

About 30 species of medicinal plants are grown on 4,000 square meters at Fazenda Nossa Senhora do Amparo, owned by Codemar. In addition to producing medicines, the initiative promotes the training of small rural producers to grow these herbs.

“With Farmácia Viva, we intend to promote the health of the population, but also generate income for producers. The project itself will provide certified plant seedlings to associated farmers and purchase their production for processing,” explains the professor of agronomy at UFRRJ and coordinator of Farmacopeia Mari’ká, João Araujo.

Based on the traditional knowledge of local plants, medicines are produced using medicinal mushrooms, essential oils for repellent preparations, and even medicines for pets. “We also have a production targeting the animal sector, especially pets, within the scope of the Marica Pharmacopoeia, which today has no help at all when it comes to natural medicines.”

All the products developed within the project are free and those that do not require a prescription have already been distributed, such as tea, guaco syrup and citronella repellent lotions. “Other products are being produced, but they will be distributed based on the instructions of the project pharmacist and the municipal health department,” the coordinator told AFP.

According to the city council, the distribution is not widespread, but rather at exhibitions and lectures. “Liquid soap, essential oils, spray Of citronella and flavoured alcohol gel, among other products. The products are scheduled to be distributed at the end of the year in partnership with the Unified Health System (SUS) as a herbal service and with pharmaceutical support.”

According to Professor Araújo, the municipality was chosen because it already has actions in the areas of agroecology, agriculture, income, social development and local food production. “In this project, we have a strategy to improve the quality of life of the population and generate income in addition to the oil revenues that Maricá already receives, so we are preparing the city for a local, regional and sustainable economy in the future,” he said. The idea is for the project to serve as a model for cities in other Brazilian regions.

Araujo reported that Farmácia Viva is in the process of being completed, with its presentation to health workers in Maricá and neighboring municipalities, through the training of doctors and veterinarians. Once this phase is completed, the Nossa Senhora do Amparo Hospital will be equipped to receive pharmacists and residents.

*Correspondent Cristian Ribeiro from Radiojornalismo da ABC

*Trainee under Vinicius Lisbon