The effective insertion of the
pharmacist into
primary care is an important
goal for
health policies. The objective of this study was to describe and analyze
pharmacists and
Pharmaceutical Care in the primary
health centers (UBS) of São Bernardo do Campo. Data were obtained through an
interview applied to
pharmacists. The instrument has three sections (1)
Pharmacist identification; (2)
Pharmacist work; and (3)
Pharmaceutical activities. Items in section 3 correspond to the guidelines of agencies that promote
Pharmaceutical Care in the primary
health system. All 24
pharmacists working in UBS in São Bernardo do Campo were interviewed. Every center dispensing medicines has a responsible
pharmacist. These
pharmacists are predominantly
women and postgraduates. Activities of
Pharmaceutical Care reported were daily
prescription analysis (75% of interviewees); monthly participation in
patient groups (70.8%); monthly follow-up of
pharmacotherapy adherence (58.3%); monthly participation in multiprofessional team meetings (54.2%); monthly
home visits (12.5%);
health education to the
community (83.3%); and
pharmacist consultation (37.5%). Frequency of
prescription analysis and
home visits was weakly associated with aspects of the
pharmacist and the facility. This study showed that
Pharmaceutical Services are structured in
primary care in São Bernardo do Campo and many
Pharmaceutical Care activities are offered in its UBS