Medicines' private costs among elderly and the impairment of family income in a medium-sized municipality in the state of São Paulo. / Gasto privado com medicamentos entre idosos e o comprometimento da renda familiar em município de médio porte no estado de São Paulo.

INTRODUCTION: The acquisition of medicines accounts for a significant proportion of private health expenditures. The objective of this study was to analyse the private spending with the purchase of medicines and the commitment of the family income, by the elderly. METHODS: Population survey conducted in Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil. The monthly expenditure and the per capita family income commitment with the purchase of medicines were calculated from the information obtained in the interviews. The variables were described in absolute and relative frequencies and the hypothesis test was Pearson's χ2, Student's t and Anova, with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: The prevalence of drug use was 61.2%. The average monthly expenditure per capita was R$ 34.59, with significantly higher income impairment for individuals with higher levels of education, without chronic diseases and health plan beneficiaries. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of drug use was low. The cost generated by the purchase of medicines is one of the ways in which inequality can manifest in society. The expansion of free drug provision would be necessary to expand access and avoid spending, especially those who have private health plans but cannot afford drug treatment.

Gasto privado com medicamentos entre idosos e o comprometimento da renda familiar em município de médio porte no estado de São Paulo / Medicines' private costs among elderly and the impairment of family income in a medium-sized municipality in the state of São Paulo

RESUMO: Introdução: A aquisição de medicamentos responde por proporção importante dos gastos privados em saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o gasto privado com a compra de medicamentos e o comprometimento da renda familiar por idosos. Métodos: Inquérito populacional realizado em Praia Grande, São Paulo, 2013. O gasto mensal e o comprometimento da renda familiar per capita com a compra de medicamentos foram calculados com base nas informações obtidas nas entrevistas. As variáveis foram descritas em frequências absolutas e relativas, e os testes de hipótese utilizados foram o χ2 de Pearson, o t de Student e a análise de variância (Anova), com nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: A prevalência de utilização de medicamentos foi de 61,2%, e o gasto médio mensal per capita, de R$ 34,59, sendo significativamente maior o comprometimento da renda para os indivíduos com maior escolaridade, sem doenças crônicas e beneficiários de planos de saúde. Conclusão: A prevalência de utilização de medicamentos foi baixa. O custo gerado pela aquisição de medicamentos é uma das formas pelas quais pode se manifestar a desigualdade na sociedade. A ampliação da provisão gratuita de medicamentos seria necessária para expandir o acesso e evitar gastos, sobretudo àqueles que possuem planos de saúde privados, mas que não conseguem arcar com as despesas de tratamento medicamentoso.

ABSTRACT: Introduction: The acquisition of medicines accounts for a significant proportion of private health expenditures. The objective of this study was to analyse the private spending with the purchase of medicines and the commitment of the family income, by the elderly. Methods: Population survey conducted in Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil. The monthly expenditure and the per capita family income commitment with the purchase of medicines were calculated from the information obtained in the interviews. The variables were described in absolute and relative frequencies and the hypothesis test was Pearson's χ2, Student's t and Anova, with a significance level of 5%. Results: The prevalence of drug use was 61.2%. The average monthly expenditure per capita was R$ 34.59, with significantly higher income impairment for individuals with higher levels of education, without chronic diseases and health plan beneficiaries. Conclusion: The prevalence of drug use was low. The cost generated by the purchase of medicines is one of the ways in which inequality can manifest in society. The expansion of free drug provision would be necessary to expand access and avoid spending, especially those who have private health plans but cannot afford drug treatment.

[Assessment of pharmaceutical care for pregnant women treated in the public health system in Praia Grande, São Paulo State, Brazil]. / Avaliação da assistência farmacêutica à gestante na rede básica de saúde do Município de Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil.

The use of medication in primary health care has increased steadily in recent decades, thus highlighting the relevance of assessing the pharmaceutical care provided to patients in the primary care setting. This article aimed to evaluate the pharmaceutical care provided by the public system in Greater Metropolitan Santos, São Paulo State, Brazil, focusing specifically on women during gestation. Methods included secondary data analysis, document analysis, interviews with key players, and visits to health services and to the pharmaceutical supply center. Deficiencies were identified in most stages of pharmaceutical care: selection, planning, purchase, storage, distribution, and dispensing. The results suggest that in order to improve primary health care, with better access, equality, and comprehensiveness, the evaluation of pharmaceutical care should be incorporated as a routine procedure.

Avaliação da assistência farmacêutica à gestante na rede básica de saúde do Município de Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brasil / Assessment of pharmaceutical care for pregnant women treated in the public health system in Praia Grande, São Paulo State, Brazil

O uso de medicamentos na atenção primária à saúde vem crescendo continuadamente nas últimas décadas, de tal modo que avaliar a assistência farmacêutica prestada aos pacientes nesse nível de atenção adquire relevância. O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar a assistência farmacêutica ofertada na rede básica de saúde em município da Região Metropolitana da Baixada Santista, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, delimitando-se para a análise a saúde da mulher, especialmente no período gestacional. Foram realizadas: análise de dados secundários; análise documental; entrevistas com atores-chave; visita aos serviços de saúde e à Central de Abastecimento Farmacêutico. Foram encontradas inadequações em praticamente todas as etapas - seleção, programação, aquisição, armazenamento, distribuição e dispensação - da assistência farmacêutica. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que para o aperfeiçoamento da atenção primária à saúde, garantida a ampliação do acesso, a equidade e a integralidade, a avaliação da assistência farmacêutica deveria ser incorporada cotidianamente.

The use of medication in primary health care has increased steadily in recent decades, thus highlighting the relevance of assessing the pharmaceutical care provided to patients in the primary care setting. This article aimed to evaluate the pharmaceutical care provided by the public system in Greater Metropolitan Santos, São Paulo State, Brazil, focusing specifically on women during gestation. Methods included secondary data analysis, document analysis, interviews with key players, and visits to health services and to the pharmaceutical supply center. Deficiencies were identified in most stages of pharmaceutical care: selection, planning, purchase, storage, distribution, and dispensing. The results suggest that in order to improve primary health care, with better access, equality, and comprehensiveness, the evaluation of pharmaceutical care should be incorporated as a routine procedure.