SELF-MEDICATION IN BRAZIL'S PUBLIC HEALTH: THE IMPORTANCE OF PHARMACEUTICAL PERFORMANCE IN THE MULTIPROFESSIONAL TEAM AND AS AN ADVISOR IN THE RATIONAL USE OF MEDICATIONS

Abstract

Self-medication is one of the main public health problems that has been growing in Brazil and in the world in recent years. Thus, the present study aims to verify and evaluate self-medication in public health in Brazil, its risk factors and the role of the pharmacist in the multidisciplinary team as an advisor in the rational use of medications. A bibliographic review was carried out using SciELO and Google Scholar databases with the intention of collecting data on the numbers of registered cases and deaths. According to the reviewed literature, self-medication in Brazil is linked to several factors. Among them, it can be highlighted the excessive advertising and easy access to medications in pharmacies. Moreover, the analysis pointed out that 77% of the population adhere to this practice; males represent about 40% of the cases. The indiscriminate use of these drugs and their associations can cause several adverse effects and intoxications that can lead the patient to death. According to the National Toxic-Pharmacological Information System (SINITOX) (SINITOX- Sistema Nacional de Informacoes Toxico-Farmacologicas), only in 2017, about 27.11% of the registered intoxications were caused by medications, with 20,637 cases e 50 deaths. One way of controlling self-medication is the humanization of health services, especially in the public network. Therefore, The Federal Pharmacy Council (Conselho Federal de Farmacia- CFF) implemented the Resolution 586 on August 29 th , 2013, a guideline about the prescription of over-the-counter medications. In this context, the pharmacist has great relevance as an advisor and health agent. This professional collaborates for the rational use of medicines and the reduction of self-medication cases. Finally, pharmaceutical assistance projects intended to guide the correct use of medicines would be of paramount importance to the population, thus reducing public health problems, mainly related to self-medication.