POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS E A INTEGRAÇÃO DA FITOTERAPIA NO SISTEMA ÚNICO DE SAÚDE

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.5581125090111

• Palavras-chave: Fitoterapia; Plantas medicinais; Saúde pública; Atenção básica de saúde; Alternativas terapêuticas.

• Keywords: Phytotherapy; Medicinal plants; Public health; Primary health care; Therapeutic alternatives.

• Abstract: Phytotherapy, a practice based on the use of medicines derived from plants or their plant derivatives, has its roots in popular and traditional knowledge. Medicinal plants have been used for thousands of years, as observed in Chinese medicine. However, the belief that they are completely free of adverse reactions has been widely challenged. To ensure their regulated and safe use, several ordinances were created, aiming at the inclusion of this practice in the Unified Health System (SUS). The Ministry of Health highlights the importance of clinical studies on medicinal plants, establishing research priorities to ensure their safe and effective implementation in the SUS. Thus, the objective of this work was to conduct a study on the use of phytotherapeutics in the SUS. For this, an integrative literature review was carried out in the Scientific Direct, Google Scholar and PubMed databases, adopting the Health Sciences Descriptors (DeCS): “Medicinal plants”, “Phytotherapeutics”, “Unified Health System”, “Treatment”, “Brazil” and “History”. Studies published between 2012 and 2024 were selected. The results revealed that the regulation of the use of medicinal plants and phytotherapeutics in the SUS began in 2006, with the creation of the National Policy for Integrative and Complementary Practices and the National Policy for Medicinal Plants and Phytotherapeutics. Since then, some programs and public policies have been implemented, such as Farmácia Viva, the National List of Essential Medicines, and the List of Medicinal Plants of Interest to the SUS. These policies aim to integrate traditional practices into the health system, promoting the safe and effective use of phytotherapeutics. Furthermore, despite the progress, many professionals still feel insecure about prescribing phytotherapeutics, indicating the need for continuous training to ensure the appropriate and effective use of these treatments in primary health care. Finally, it is emphasized that the use of phytotherapeutics in the SUS represents a significant advance in the promotion of integrative and complementary practices, providing effective and culturally relevant therapeutic alternatives.