Abstract
The Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program promotes an interface between the public and private sectors. From 2011, the Program took part in the actions contemplated by the Brazil Without Poverty (BSM) Plan, through the “Saúde Não Tem Preço” (SNTP) initiative, characterized by free Ministry of Health-financed provision of medicines for hypertension, diabetes and asthma, dispensed in private Program-certified facilities. The study aimed to assess the role played by SNTP in BSM target municipalities in Mato Grosso do Sul state. A survey in 40 pharmacies from 15 municipalities, based on a WHO methodology, collected socioeconomic and demographic profile of users, as well as health perceptions, medicines and steps taken to obtain them. Among the 896 interviewees, there was a greater proportion of females, over 60 years, with low schooling, and total income between half and two minimum wages. About 95% of users came to the SNTP from public health system. More than 60% reported trying to obtain the medicines at public facilities, but unavailability led them to certified pharmacies. More than 55% of users were directed to SNTP by recommendation of a SUS health professional. We estimate that in these target municipalities the poorest segment of the population did not access SNTP.
Keywords:
medicines; pharmaceutical services; health policy; social vulnerability