Bošnjak and Sinclair Discuss Regulation of Medical Cannabis in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, met with the President of the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP), Paul Sinclair, ahead of the Community Pharmacy Section Summit, which will be held in Sarajevo on 5 March.

In addition to Sinclair, the meeting was attended by Sherif Guorgui, President of the FIP Community Pharmacy Section, Marin Crnogorac, President of the Chamber of Pharmacists of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Vice President Martin Kondža.

The Summit confirms the increasingly active role of Bosnia and Herzegovina within the international pharmaceutical community.

During the meeting, the importance of strengthening international cooperation and institutional networking, as well as Bosnia and Herzegovina’s stronger involvement in international projects and European health initiatives, was highlighted. President Sinclair presented Minister Bošnjak with opportunities for more active participation of domestic institutions in FIP programmes.

They also discussed regulatory models for the use of medical cannabinoids following the recent amendment to the List of Narcotic Drugs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As highlighted during the meeting, this created a legal basis for the medical use of pharmaceutical preparations containing cannabis, under strict supervision and clearly defined procedures. Experiences from other countries that have already developed systems for the controlled medical use of cannabis were also considered.

Minister Bošnjak thanked FIP for its support and willingness to cooperate, stressing that the exchange of experiences and the application of best practices are essential for the further development of the pharmaceutical sector in the country. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, she added, remains open to partnerships aimed at improving the healthcare system and strengthening the professional capacities of pharmacists.

One of the topics discussed at the meeting was the possibility of organising the World Congress of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sarajevo. This prestigious event is held each year in a different region of the world, while Europe is expected to host it again in either 2028 or 2029.

The Chamber of Pharmacists of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has already launched an initiative, recognised as significant by the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for Sarajevo to host this important event. During the FIP Summit, a formal letter of intent for organising the congress will be officially presented to the President.

Participants in the meeting assessed that hosting the World Congress would provide a major incentive for the development of the pharmaceutical profession, scientific cooperation, and the international reputation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains firmly committed to the further strengthening of the biomedical profession, the improvement of healthcare policies, and the development of all sectors contributing to the advancement of the healthcare system.