Abstract
ABSTRACTOBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence and factors associated with the use of the expanded Brazilian People’s Pharmacy Program among older adults and the reasons for not using it.METHODS In this population-based cross-sectional study conducted in the urban area of Pelotas, RS, Southern Brazil, we evaluated 1,305 older adults (aged 60 years or over) who had used medication in the last 15 days. Independent variables were socioeconomic factors, economic status, household income in minimum wages, educational attainment in years of schooling and occupational status. Demographic variables were sex, age, marital status, and self-reported skin color/race. Poisson regression was employed to analyze the factors associated with the use of the program.RESULTS The prevalence of use was 57.0% whilst the prevalence of knowledge of the program was 87.0%. In individuals aged 80 years or over, use of the program was 41.0%. As to the origin of the prescriptions used by older adults, 46.0% were from the Brazilian Unified Health System. The main reasons for not using the program were: difficulty in getting prescriptions, medication shortage, and ignorance about the medications offered and about the program. Higher age, lower income, presence of chronic diseases, and use of four or more medications were associated with use of the program.CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to expand the knowledge and use of the Brazilian People’s Pharmacy Program, especially among older adults, and to improve the dissemination of its list of medications to users and physicians. Thus it will be possible to reduce spending on long-term medications, which are especially important for this population.
Highlights
Ensuring access to basic and essential medications to all individuals is a priority in today’s health policies13,a
As to the origin of the prescriptions used by older adults, 46.0% were from the Brazilian Unified Health System
It will be possible to reduce spending on long-term medications, which are especially important for this population
Summary
Ensuring access to basic and essential medications to all individuals is a priority in today’s health policies13,a. The Federal Government launched in 2004 the Programa Farmácia Popular do Brasil (PFPB – Brazilian People’s Pharmacy Program) as part of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)b,c,d This strategy aims to promote the expansion of access to medication and equal serviceb to the entire population. The PFPB-E, considered an expansion of the PFPB in partnership with private pharmacies and drugstores, was created with the goal of broadening the coverage of pharmaceutical assistance, promoting the integrality of health care[5] In this mode, the Ministry of Health (MS) subsidizes 90.0% of the reference value for medication for diseases such as dyslipidemia, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, osteoporosis and rhinitis, in addition to birth control and adult diapersf. In 2011, with the creation of the Saúde Não Tem Preço (Health is Priceless) program, the two axes of action began dispensing free medication for asthma, diabetes and hypertensiong
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