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Performance of Basic Health Unitsand use ofthe Popular PharmacyProgram

Abstract

Background

Brazil has two government-funded drug supply programs, the Popular Pharmacy Program of Brazil (PFPB), and the provision in Unified Health System (SUS) units, which have items in common.

Objective

To explore the relationship between the use of PFPB by hypertensive and diabetic patients and factors related to care in basic health units, the pharmacy structure of units, and the availability of antihypertensive and antidiabetic agents common to PFPB and SUS in Brazilian municipalities of medium and large population sizes.

Method

A cross-sectional ecological study was carried out using secondary data from PFPB and the National Program for Improving Access and Quality in Primary Care (PMAQ-AB) for 2012.

Results

Municipalities of medium population showed a greater proportion of health units with antihypertensive and antidiabetic availability than those of large size. Most respondents at PMAQ-AB affirmed that hypertension and diabetes medications are available in public health services. The multivariate analysis showed that the use of Popular Pharmacy by the population is more related to emergency and occasional situations.

Conclusion

PFPB supplies the need for the population to obtain medications in the absence of SUS, evidencing an important role in the continuity of drug treatment for many individuals suffering from hypertension and diabetes.

Keywords:
primary care; Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program; antihypertensive; antidiabetic

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