Under the coordination of researcher Ana Maria Soares Pereira, professor of the Master's and Doctoral Program in Biotechnology at Unaerp, Nature Pharmacy Program (in Portuguese: Farmácia da Natureza) was recognized by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) by the Innovation Laboratory on Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health in SUS (LIS-PICS). The award ceremony took place on May 3, at the Organization's office, in Brasília - DF. This year's award also celebrated the 16th anniversary of the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices in Health (PNPICS) in the Unified Health System (SUS).

Started in December 1995 with species from Unaerp Collection of Medicinal Plants, the Program, also known as "Farmácia Viva", is headquartered at Casa Espírita Terra de Ismael, in Jardinópolis (SP). More than 400 medicinal species are cultivated on site, of which 150 are used as sources of raw material for the production of herbal medicines. There is also training for health professionals with the aim of encouraging the rational use of medicinal plants and herbal medicines with quality, safety and effectiveness in the Unified Health System - SUS.

According to Professor Ana Maria, the cultivation of medicinal species, according to biodynamic, organic and agroforestry principles, has been continuous since the year of foundation and in the last five years, selected seedlings have also been made available for other Live Pharmacies programs that are being deployed in Brazil.

The researcher explains that this recognition makes Unaerp a reference institution, facilitating the search for resources for the development of research and partnerships with other universities. "We have demonstrated the ability to produce a technology capable of being deployed anywhere in Brazil and the world. This opens the way for us to have cooperative projects with national and international institutions", concludes Professor Ana Maria.

The activities of Nature Pharmacy are developed in partnership with the University of São Paulo (USP), through the Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto (FMRP-USP), and the Municipality of city of Jardinópolis.


The award ceremony took place on May 3, in Brasília - DF