[Adherence to essential medicines in cities from three Brazilian states].
This study compared the Municipal Essential Medicines Lists (REMUME) and examined adherence by prescribers and availability of essential medicines in the health units affiliated with the Unified National Health System (SUS). Data were collected on lists and medicines prescribed to 2,411 patients enrolled consecutively in primary or secondary care services in Brazilian municipalities. Of 5,222 prescribed medicines, 76.4% were present on the REMUME, 76.8% on the National List of Essential Medicines (RENAME), and 63% on the World Health Organization (WHO) list. Among the most frequently prescribed medications, one or more did not belong to the respective REMUME. Of all medicines prescribed, 76.1% were available in the inspected facilities; for essential medicines, the availability increased to 88.1%. Prescription in disagreement with the REMUME may result from the unavailability of medicines in the inspected facilities or the lists' inadequacy for the level of care.
Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Av. Ipiranga 2752, Porto Alegre, Brazil. tatiane.silva@ufrgs.br
Tatiane da Silva
Tda S
Dal Pizzol
Daisson José
DJ
Trevisol
Isabela
I
Heineck
Liziane Maahs
LM
Flores
Aline Lins
AL
Camargo
Alvaro
A
Köenig
Iraci Lucena da Silva
IL
Torres
Mônica Cristina Toffoli
MC
Kadri
Maria Tereza Ferreira Duenhas
MT
Monreal
Adriana Mary Mestriner Felipe de
AM
Melo
Maria Beatriz Cardoso
MB
Ferreira
D001938:Brazil; D018954:Drugs, Essential / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D006291:Health Policy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000592:standards*; D014944:World Health Organization
D018954:Drugs, Essential; D055553:Prescription Drugs