[Use of medicines by individuals with hypertension and diabetes in municipalities covered by the Pharmacy Network in Minas Gerais State, Brazil].
This article analyzes the use of medicines by individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus who received their medication through a public network of pharmacies, with a particular emphasis on gender differences. During the first two months of 2010, individuals with hypertension and/or diabetes were interviewed in half of the 64 municipalities (counties) participating in the Minas Gerais Pharmacy Network. Mean age of the 4,777 interviewees was 60.9 years, which may have contributed to the high mean number of medicines used (4.0 among women and 3.5 among men). The most frequently used drugs were those acting on the cardiovascular system (56.3%), alimentary tract and metabolism (14.9%), and nervous system (13.8%), consistent with the sample's epidemiological profile. Women and more elderly individuals tended to use more medicines. The findings show high expenditures on medicines by the interviewees and suggest the design of educational activities targeting rational use of medication.
Secretaria Estadual de Saúde de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brasil. viniciusomp@yahoo.com.br
Vinícius Oliveira de Moura
VO
Pereira
Francisco de Assis
Fde A
Acurcio
Augusto Afonso
AA
Guerra Júnior
Grazielle Dias da
GD
Silva
Mariangela Leal
ML
Cherchiglia
D000367:Age Factors; D001938:Brazil; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D055553:Prescription Drugs