In the context of contemporary public management, this study aimed to check the performance of various aspects of pharmaceutical service in towns of Paraíba, Brazil. This is a descriptive research, conducted by means of inspection reports from the towns (within the period from 2003 to 2010), produced by the Office of the Inspector General of the Union (CGU). The study has found that 98.1% of the towns had at least one problem in the management of resources and/or pharmaceutical services; that in 52.7% stock control did not exist or it was deficient; that in 52.7% the rules for acquiring medicines were not observed; that in 38.2% misappropriation of resources and fraud concerning the program were found; and that in 27.3% of towns there was lack of basic medicines. It was concluded that there were important management problems that affected processes and the quality of services provided to citizens.
management; public resource; public policy; pharmaceutical service
