Análise das solicitações de medicamentos não padronizados de um hospital universitário terciário / Analysis of requests for non-standard medicines from a tertiary university hospital

Introdução: O uso extensivo de medicamentos não padronizados causa aumento de custos em saúde, além de potencial redução de segurança e uso racional de medicamentos. A Comissão de Farmácia e Terapêutica orienta a prescrição de medicamentos, por meio da avaliação e seleção de medicamentos a serem incluídos no formulário de medicamentos padronizados, com base nas melhores evidências científicas disponíveis e no perfil dos pacientes locais, promovendo o uso racional de medicamentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar as solicitações de fornecimento de medicamentos não padronizados na instituição. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo observacional e descritivo onde foram analisadas as solicitações de medicamentos não padronizados realizadas entre fevereiro de 2016 e dezembro de 2021, identificando os medicamentos envolvidos e seus respectivos custos. Resultados: Foram realizadas 203 solicitações no período, sendo 174 incluídas no estudo. Os medicamentos que tiveram mais solicitações foram o rituximabe (41), a imunoglobulina humana (31), o sucralfato (23), a nitazoxanida (12) e o eltrombopague (7). As solicitações com maior custo foram as de imunoglobulina humana (US$ 799,702.38), rituximabe (US$ 717,320.26), eltrombopague (US$ 281,062.50), ruxolitinibe (US$ 167,867.46) e bortezomibe (US$ 149,033.52). As principais clínicas que solicitaram medicamentos não padronizado foram a neurologia (47), a hematologia (30), as moléstias infecciosas e parasitárias (17), e a anestesiologia (12). As solicitações de maior custo foram realizadas pela neurologia (US$ 145,519.08), hematologia (US$ 120,980.25), transplante de medula óssea (US$ 51,635.11) e dermatologia (US$ 44,813.40). Conclusão: O estudo demonstrou que há um fluxo estruturado de solicitação de medicamentos não padronizados na instituição, sendo uma importante ferramenta de gerenciamento dessas solicitações, evitando a aquisição desnecessária de itens que não compõem o elenco terapêutico do hospital.

Introduction: Widespread use of non-formulary drugs (NFD) increases cost and may reduce safety and rational use of medicines. The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee provides guidance on drug prescription by evaluating and selecting medications to be included in a hospital's formulary based on best scientific evidence available and local patients' profile, promoting rational use of medicines. The objective of this study was to assess non-formulary drugs prescriptions at a tertiary hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective study. NFD prescribed and its associated costs were assessed through NFD request forms received from February 2016 to December 2021. Results: A total of 203 NFD request forms were received, from which 174 were included in this study. The most frequently prescribed NFD included rituximab (n = 41), immunoglobulin (31), sucralfate (23), nitazoxanide (12), and eltrombopag (7), with the highest costs being with immunoglobulin (US$ 799,702.38), rituximab (US$ 717,320.26), eltrombopag (US$ 281,062.50), ruxolitinib (US$ 167,867.46), and bortezomib (US$ 149,033.52). The most frequent requesting specialties were neurology (n = 47), hematology (30), infectious disease (17) and anesthesiology (12), and highest costs requests were from neurology (US$ 145,519.08), hematology (US$ 120,980.25), bone marrow transplant unit (US$ 51,635.11), and dermatology (US$ 44,813.40). Conclusion: This study showed that a structured request flow for NFD prescription is a critical procedure in order to better manage drug prescription within the hospital, promoting rational use of medicines and preventing unnecessary spending with drugs for which the clinical indication may be covered by a drug already in the hospital's formulary.

University Pharmacy: from the foundation to the Pandemic times of Covid-19

Abstract The University Pharmacy Program (FU), from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), was created based on the need to offer a curricular internship to students of the Undergraduate Course at the Faculty of Pharmacy. Currently, it is responsible for the care of about 200 patients/day, offering vacancies for curricular internships for students in the Pharmacy course, it has become a reference in the manipulation of many drugs neglected by the pharmaceutical industry and provides access to medicines for low-income users playing an important social function. Research is one of the pillars of FU-UFRJ and several master and doctoral students use the FU research laboratory in the development of dissertations and theses. As of 2002, the Pharmaceutical Care extension projects started to guarantee a rational and safe pharmacotherapy for the medicine users. From its beginning in 1982 until the current quarantine due to the COVID-19 pandemic, FU-UFRJ has been adapting to the new reality and continued to provide patient care services, maintaining its teaching, research, and extension activities. The FU plays a relevant social role in guaranteeing the low-income population access to special and neglected medicines, and to pharmaceutical and education services in health promotion.

Tareas fundamentales de la obstetricia: recomendaciones para la regulación de la prescripción, uso y dispensa de medicación / El Trabajo Obstétrico en la Salud Sexual y Reproductiva / Fundamental tasks of obstetrics: recommendations for the regulation of the prescription, use and dispensing of medication / Obstetric work in sexual and reproductive health

El objetivo es presentar una descripción general de las diferentes estrategias normativas para la autorización de la prescripción, el uso y la dispensa de medicamentos por parte de obstétricas. Para ello, se ofrece un breve panorama de las recomendaciones de organismos de rectoría sanitaria y profesional para ese fin, así como de las regulaciones de diferentes países del mundo. Además, se presenta un análisis comparado de las regulaciones existentes en la Argentina, enfocando en las estrategias regulatorias y, en particular, la revisión de los vademécums obstétricos vigentes. Ello, con el fin de aportar argumentos y observaciones sobre su alcance, estructura y contenido, y para indicar las fortalezas y desafíos que cada una de estas estrategias de regulación comporta. Finalmente, aportamos algunas breves recomendaciones para la formulación de una regulación nacional y de un vademécum obstétrico nacional en el marco de la aprobación de alguno de los proyectos de ley nacional de regulación de las competencias profesionales de la obstetricia que cursan en el Congreso de la Nación actualmente.

Impacto da unitarização de ceftazidima + avibactam em um hospital público universitário durante a pandemia de COVID-19 / Impact of ceftazidime + avibactam unitarization in a university public hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introdução: A pandemia de COVID-19 fez aumentar a demanda de medicamentos utilizados em hospitais, como a Ceftazidima + Avibactam. Nesse contexto, a Central de Misturas Intravenosas (CMIV) de um hospital público universitário passou a unitarizar as doses prescritas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o impacto da unitarização no consumo deste antibacteriano de alto custo em um hospital público universitário. Métodos: Trata-se de uma análise farmacoeconômica de custos diretos, sobre a utilização de frascos-ampola de Ceftazidima + Avibactam no período de 01/07/2020 a 31/05/2021. Foram unitarizadas todas as doses que correspondiam a uma fração da dose total do frasco-ampola, em Cabine de Segurança Biológica classe II B2. Os frascos-ampola foram utilizados à exaustão, através do compartilhamento e organização dos horários de manipulação. Resultados: O número total de preparos realizados pela CMIV do referido hospital no período foi de 837. O consumo projetado sem a centralização dos preparos seria de 837 (um frasco por dose). Entretanto, o consumo real foi de 437 frascos. A eficiência de unitarização foi de 101%, com economia real de 400 frascos (R$ 244.832,00) para a instituição. Conclusão: A pandemia de COVID-19 sobrecarregou os sistemas de saúde do mundo todo, sendo que a atuação farmacêutica foi fundamental para garantir o acesso aos medicamentos essenciais. A CMIV assumiu a unitarização da Ceftazidima + Avibactam, antibiótico em risco de desabastecimento, gerando um consumo 47,8% menor, contribuindo para o acesso deste medicamento de forma ininterrupta durante os 11 meses avaliados na referida instituição.

Introduction: COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for drugs used in hospitals, such as Ceftazidime + Avibactam. In this context, the Central of Intravenous Admixtures (CMIV) of a public university hospital started to unitarize the prescribed doses. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of unitarization on the consumption of this high-cost antibacterial in a public university hospital. Methods: This is a pharmacoeconomic analysis of direct costs, on the Ceftazidime + Avibactam vials use, in the period from 07/01/2020 to 05/31/2021. All doses that corresponded to a fraction of the entire vial were unitarized in a Class II B2 Biological Safety Cabin. The vials were used to exhaustion, by sharing them, and organizing the manipulation schedules. Results: The total number of preparations made by the CMIV of that hospital in the period was 837 doses. The projected consumption would be 837 vials (one vial per dose). However, the actual consumption was 437 vials. The unitarization efficiency was of 101%, with real savings of 400 vials (R$ 244,832.00) for the institution. Conclusion: COVID-19 pandemic has overburdened health systems around the world, and pharmaceutical actions have been fundamental to guaranteeing access to essential medicines. CMIV took over the unitarization of Ceftazidime + Avibactam, an antibiotic at risk of shortages, leading to a 47.8% lower consumption, contributing to uninterrupted access to this drug during the 11 months evaluated at that institution.

Desenvolvimento de rota sintética da Rosiglitazona em processo batelada e microrreator capilar / Rosiglitazone synthetic route development in batch process and capillary microreactor

Para que os fármacos possam ser comercializados economicamente, a sua escala de produção deve ser aumentada para atender à demanda do mercado. Atualmente, a maior parte dos fármacos são sintetizados em processos batelada que possuem limitações quanto à eficiência de mistura, temperatura e pressão. O uso de microrreatores surge como alternativa na indústria químico-farmacêutica, aumentando a eficiência dos processos de maneira segura. Ferramentas utilizadas no segmento computacional multidisciplinar teórico, como o DFT (Density Functional Theory), podem prever e compreender o comportamento das reações químicas, podendo ter grande utilidade na síntese de novos fármacos economizando tempo, investimento e reduzindo a geração de resíduos. A diabetes mellitus é uma doença de caráter epidêmico, que a cada ano vem aumentando o número de casos. O emprego de fármacos derivados das glitazonas no tratamento de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 é recomendado devido ao excelente controle glicêmico que esta classe de fármacos oferece. Neste trabalho, foi sintetizada a Rosiglitazona, um fármaco derivado das glitazonas, que auxilia no tratamento da diabetes mellitus tipo 2, sendo estudadas duas rotas de síntese distintas, que foram otimizadas com o intuito de maximizar o rendimento de seus intermediários, obtendo a Rosiglitazona com pureza de cerca de 94%. Foi realizada, para os intermediários, aqui denominados, 1R, 2R2 e 3R2 a síntese one-pot e para os intermediários 1R, 2R1 e 3R2 foi realizada a transposição do processo usual em batelada para fluxo contínuo no microrreator, com rendimentos de até 93%. Com o auxílio da química quântica computacional, a reação de síntese do intermediário 1R, foi elucidada teoricamente e determinadas as grandezas termodinâmicas (ΔH‡, ΔG‡ e ΔS‡) no estado de transição, que foram comparadas com os valores experimentais, sendo constatada uma boa concordância, com desvio máximo de 14%

In order for drugs to be commercialized economically, their production scale must be increased to meet market demand. Currently, most drugs are synthesized in batch processes that have limitations in terms of mixing efficiency, temperature and pressure. The use of microreactors appears as an alternative in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry, increasing the efficiency of the synthesis processes in a safe way. Tools used in the theoretical multidisciplinary computational segment, such as DFT (Density Functional Theory), can predict and understand the behavior of chemical reactions, and can be very useful in the synthesis of new drugs, saving time, investment and reducing waste generation. Diabetes mellitus is an epidemic disease that has been increasing the number of cases every year. The use of drugs derived from glitazones in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus is recommended due to the excellent glycemic control that this class of drugs offers. In this work, Rosiglitazone, a drug derived from glitazones, which helps in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, was synthesized. Two different synthetic routes were studied and optimized in order to maximize the yield of its intermediates, obtaining Rosiglitazone with purity of about 94%. One-pot synthesis was performed to 1R, 2R2 and 3R2 intermediates, and the transposition from the usual batch process to continuous flow in microreactor was performed to 1R, 2R1 and 3R2 intermediates, with yields of up to 93%. With the aid of computational quantum chemistry, the intermediate 1R synthesis reaction was theoretically elucidated and the thermodynamic properties were determined (ΔH‡, ΔG‡ and ΔS‡) in the transition state, which were compared with the experimental results, obtaining good agreement, with a maximum deviation of 14%

Evaluation of turkish pharmaceutical track and trace system (ITS): perspective of community pharmacists

Abstract Turkish Pharmaceutical Track & Trace System (ITS) is implemented as a system in which drug movements are tracked in order to ensure drug safety. The system is integrated among drug stores, pharmacies and reimbursement institutions. As the pharmacies are the primary users, their evaluations regarding the system are considered important. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the pharmacies'- a shareholder of ITS in Turkey- satisfaction level for ITS and problems and suggestions encountered in the system. The most expressed contribution of ITS to the pharmacists' work was the ease of medicine tracking and control with 27.1%. The average satisfaction level of pharmacists about ITS was found to be 2.9±1.2. In the research, the most expressed of the regarding the areas of ITS that need to be developed is 'work without interruption' with 37.1%. ITS application has provided advantages for pharmacies in many aspects that facilitate operations. However, continuous development of technology, increasing information resources and diversity, changing expectations, and utilization levels of the users require the constant improvement of the performance of the system.

Off-label drug use in an adult intensive care unit of a Brazilian hospital

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and describe the factors associated with off-label drug use in an adult intensive care unit (ICU) of a Brazilian hospital. An analytical, cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted in the adult ICU population from March 2018 to May 2018. Off-label use of medication was classified by indication, dosage, route of administration, type and volume of diluent, and duration of administration. Most patients were female (57.89%), non-elderly (56.14%), and had a mean age of 54.44 ± 17.15 years. The prevalence of off-label drug use was 70.31%, but was not associated with the clinical severity of the patients. A statistically significant association was observed between label use of drugs and prescribing potentially inappropriate medicines (PIM). The most common reasons for off-label drug use were therapeutic indication (19.58%) and volume of diluent (23.30%). Drug administration by enteral tubes accounted for the largest number of off-label uses due to route of administration (90.85%). There was a higher prevalence of off-label use of systemic antimicrobials (14.44%) and norepinephrine (9.28%). Our study provided a broad characterization of off-label drug use in an adult ICU and showed why it is important for health professionals to evaluate the specific risks and benefits of this practice

Análise da polifarmácia e de fatores associados ao uso racional de medicamentos em idosos moradores de residência de cuidados de longa permanência / Analysis of polypharmacy and factors associated with the rational use of medicines in elderly residents of long-term care residences

Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a polifarmácia e os fatores associados ao uso racional de medicamentos em idosos moradores de residência de cuidado de longa permanência na perspectiva do cuidado nas condições crônicas de saúde. Foi desenvolvido junto a 68 prontuários, prescrições médicas e/ou registros de administração de medicamentos de idosos moradores de um residencial filantrópico do Vale do Paranapanema/São Paulo. A coleta de dados foi realizada por meio de um instrumento com perguntas abertas e fechadas sobre a temática e a análise se deu por meio do cálculo de frequência absoluta e relativa. A polifarmácia fazia parte da vida de grande parte dos idosos. Não foi possível compreender, por falta de sistematização e de controle documental interno, como os responsáveis técnicos do setor administrativo e da saúde adquiriam medicamentos, nem os custos envolvidos com a compra e o desperdício. Os medicamentos e seus resíduos eram descartados no lixo orgânico. Não foi possível também determinar se idosos recebiam o medicamento apropriado às suas necessidades clínicas, na dose e no período adequado às suas condições de saúde. Conclui-se que idosos moradores do residencial estão expostos à polifarmácia e o uso racional de medicamentos não é praticado.

This study aimed to analyze polypharmacy and factors associated with the rational use of medicines in elderly residents of long-term care homes from the perspective of care in chronic health conditions. This study was developed with sixty-eight medical records, medical prescriptions, and/or medication administration records of elderly residents of a philanthropic home, located in a municipality in the Vale do Paranapanema/São Paulo. Data was collected using an instrument with open and closed questions on the theme. The analysis consisted of calculating absolute and relative frequency. Polypharmacy was part of the life of most elderly people. It was not possible to understand, due to the lack of systematization and internal document control, how the technicians responsible for the administrative and health sectors acquired the medicines, nor the costs involved with the purchase and waste. Medicines and their residues were disposed of in organic waste. It was also not possible to determine whether the elderly received medication appropriate to their clinical needs, in the dose and within the appropriate period to their health conditions. Therefore, elderly residents of the residential are exposed to polypharmacy and the rational use of medicines is not practiced.

Dissolution test for oral suspension: an overview about use and importance

Abstract This work aims to ascertain the comprehensiveness of dissolution tests for oral suspensions registered in Brazil and the USA. After consulting literature since 1994, a paucity of information about dissolution methods for suspensions was detected. It makes it difficult to establish the most appropriate test parameters. In January, 2019, there were 46 drugs registered in Anvisa (Brazil) as oral suspension, being 47 reference, 173 generic and 114 interchangeable similar (IS) medicines; while in the USA, 90 drugs were registered as oral suspension by FDA, 235 Abreviatted New Drug Application and 111 New Drug Application medicines. Out of 46 and 90, only six and 15 drugs as oral suspension had a pharmacopeial dissolution test, corresponding to 70 (20.9%) and 82 (23.7%) products in Brazil and the USA, respectively. Dissolution studies were found for 17 drugs as oral suspension in the non-compendial literature. Dissolution test conditions were established to few marketable oral suspension drugs, most of which are BCS class II or IV. Thus, investing in dissolution studies could subsidize the registration of these products by regulators, especially for generic and IS drugs, by comparing dissolution profiles, and predicting their in vivo behavior to avoid exposure of healthy individuals to clinical research.

Assistência farmacêutica no componente especializado: um estudo de análise lógica / Specialized component of pharmaceutical care: a logical analysis / Asistencia farmacéutica en el componente especializado: un estudio de análisis lógico

Este estudo objetivou realizar uma análise lógica das atividades de assistência farmacêutica em um serviço de referência, vinculado ao componente especializado em um município do semiárido baiano, com o intuito de mapear os processos e atividades implementados para assegurar a integralidade das práticas definidas pelo Ministério da Saúde. A pesquisa teve natureza qualitativa, avaliativa e descritiva e foi realizada em duas etapas: uma análise documental que derivou do modelo teórico; e uma aplicação de questionários aos farmacêuticos que atuaram ou atuam no serviço do componente especializado. Foi indicada uma imagem objetiva ideal; as atividades técnico-gerenciais estavam adequadas ao âmbito local. Contudo, foi descoberto que as atividades técnico-assistenciais estavam restritas à dispensação dos medicamentos conforme os protocolos clínicos. Constatou-se que as atividades técnico-gerenciais são realizadas como preconizadas e as técnico-assistenciais divergem daquilo recomendado pelas diretrizes políticas.

This study carries out a logical analysis of pharmaceutical care in a referral service, linked to specialized component, in a municipality in Bahia, Brazil, to map the procedures and activities implemented to ensure their comprehensiveness as defined by the Ministry of Health. The qualitative, evaluative and descriptive research was developed in two stages: a documentary analysis, derived from the theoretical model; and questionnaires applied to pharmacists who work or have worked in the specialized component service. Results showed an ideal objective image; the technical-managerial activities proved adequate at the local level. However, the technical care activities showed to be restricted to dispensing the drugs according to clinical protocols. In conclusion, the technical-managerial activities are carried out as recommended, while the technical care ones diverge from the policy guidelines.

Este estudio tuvo por objetivo realizar un análisis lógico de las actividades de la asistencia farmacéutica en un servicio de referencia vinculado al componente especializado en un municipio del semiárido baiano (Brasil), con el propósito de mapear los procesos y actividades implementados para asegurar la integralidad de las prácticas definidas por el Ministerio de Salud. El estudio fue de naturaleza cualitativa, evaluativa y descriptiva, realizado en dos etapas: un análisis documental que derivó el modelo teórico; y una aplicación de cuestionarios a los farmacéuticos que actuaron o actúan en el servicio del componente especializado. Los resultados indicaron una imagen objetivo ideal y que las actividades técnico-gerenciales eran adecuadas en el ámbito local. Sin embargo, las actividades técnico-asistenciales estaban restringidas a la dispensación de los medicamentos conforme a los protocolos clínicos. Se concluye que las actividades técnico-gerenciales son realizadas como preconizadas, y las técnico-asistenciales divergen de lo recomendado por las directrices políticas.

Allocation of pharmaceutical resources in maternal and child healthcare institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic

SUMMARY Since the outbreak of a cluster of patients with pneumonia of unknown cause in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, in December 2019, the disease was later officially named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), quickly spreading globally. Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable during disasters and emergencies. Comprehensive and applicable emergency preparedness and response are definitely important methods to prevent and contain the COVID-19 pandemic. The rational allocation of pharmaceutical resources plays an important role in the medical emergency plan. This paper aimed to share experiences for the allocation of pharmaceutical resources in hospitals focusing primarily on women and children during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMO Desde o aparecimento de um aglomerado de doentes com pneumonia de causa desconhecida em Wuhan, província de Hubei, China, em dezembro de 2019, a doença foi mais tarde oficialmente nomeada doença do coronavírus 2019 (Covid-19), causada pelo novo vírus da síndrome respiratória aguda grave coronavírus (Sars-CoV-2), que rapidamente se espalhou em nível mundial. As mulheres grávidas e as crianças são particularmente vulneráveis durante catástrofes e emergâncias. A preparação e a resposta de emergência abrangentes e aplicáveis são métodos definitivamente importantes para prevenir e conter a pandemia de Covid-19. A alocação racional dos recursos farmacêuticos desempenha um papel importante no plano de emergência médica. Este documento objetivou compartilhar experiências para a alocação de recursos farmacêuticos em hospitais focando principalmente mulheres e crianças durante a pandemia de Covid-19.

Use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders: evidence from National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines / Utilização de medicamentos para distúrbios gastrintestinais: evidências da Pesquisa Nacional sobre Acesso, Utilização e Promoção do Uso Racional de Medicamentos

ABSTRACT Objective To estimate the prevalence of use of drugs to treat gastrointestinal disorders, according to demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics of the Brazilian population. Methods This is a population-based survey that interviewed individuals residing in cities of the five regions in Brazil. The study sample was composed of 32,348 individuals aged 20 or more years. The profile of use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders was evaluated considering the variables sex, age, healthcare plan, region, and number of chronic diseases. We also analyzed the frequency of individuals who declared using other drugs, besides those already employed for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, the estimated frequencies of the drug classes used were determined. Results The prevalence of use of drugs for gastrointestinal disorders in Brazil was 6.9% (95% confidence interval − 6.4-7.6), higher in females, among persons aged over 60 years, in those who had a private healthcare insurance, and presented with two or more chronic diseases. It was noted that 42.9% of the aged who used drugs for gastrointestinal disorders were also on polypharmacy. As to the classes of drugs, 82% corresponded to drugs for the food tract and metabolism, particularly proton pumps inhibitors. Conclusion The use of drugs for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders was significant among women and elderly. In this age group, consumption may be linked to gastric protection due to polypharmacy. This study is an unprecedented opportunity to observe the self-reported consumption profile of these drugs in Brazil and, therefore, could subsidize strategies to promote their rational use.

RESUMO Objetivo Estimar a prevalência de utilização de medicamentos para o tratamento de distúrbios gastrintestinais, segundo características demográficas, socioeconômicas e de saúde da população brasileira. Métodos Trata-se de inquérito de base populacional, que entrevistou indivíduos residentes em municípios das cinco regiões do Brasil. A amostra deste estudo foi composta por 32.348 indivíduos de 20 anos ou mais de idade. Foi avaliado o perfil de utilização de medicamentos para distúrbios gastrintestinais entre as variáveis sexo, idade, plano de saúde, região e número de doenças crônicas. Analisou-se a frequência de indivíduos que declararam utilizar outros medicamentos, além daqueles já utilizados para tratamento de distúrbios gastrintestinais. Além disso, foram estimadas as frequências das classes medicamentosas utilizadas. Resultados A prevalência de utilização de medicamentos para distúrbios gastrintestinais no Brasil foi de 6,9% (intervalo de confiança de 95% − 6,4-7,6), sendo maior no sexo feminino, entre pessoas acima de 60 anos de idade, naqueles que possuíam plano privado de saúde e tinham duas ou mais doenças crônicas. Observou-se que 42,9% dos idosos que utilizaram medicamentos para distúrbios gastrintestinais também eram polimedicados. Em relação às classes medicamentosas, 82% correspondiam a medicamentos para o trato alimentar e metabolismo, destacando os inibidores da bomba de prótons. Conclusão A utilização de medicamentos para tratamento de distúrbios gastrintestinais foi significativa entre mulheres e idosos. Nesta faixa etária, o consumo pode estar vinculado à proteção gástrica causada por polimedicação. Este estudo representa oportunidade inédita para observar o perfil de consumo autorreferido desses medicamentos no Brasil e pode, portanto, subsidiar estratégias para promoção de seu uso racional.

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.

Medication use by adults in greater Manaus: a population-based cross-sectional study, 2015

The use of medicines can be an indicator of healthcare access. Our aim was to evaluate the consumption of medicine and associated factors among adults in Manaus Metropolitan Region, located in the north of Brazil. A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted with adults, ≥18 years old, selected by probabilistic sampling. The outcome was the use of medicine in the previous 15 days. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate the prevalence ratio (PR) of medicine consumption, with 95% confidence interval (CI). Use of medicines was reported by 29% (95% CI: 28-31%) of the participants. People with good (PR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.72-0.94) and fair (PR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.65-0.90) health status were shown to use less medication than those with very good health. People with partners (PR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08-1.31), and people who had sought healthcare service in the fortnight (PR: 2.16, 95% CI: 1.97-2.37) showed higher medicine consumption. Medical prescription (80.1%) was the main inductor of consumption; purchasing at a drug store (46.4%), and acquiring through the Brazilian Unified Health System (39.6%) were the main ways to obtain medicines. About one-third of adults in the Metropolitan Region of Manaus used medicines regularly, mainly people with very good health, living with partners, and with recent use of a health service.