title: [Brazilian family spending on medicines: an analysis of data from the Family Budget Surveys, 2002-2003 and 2008-2009].
abstract: This study aimed to investigate spending on medicines by Brazilian families and related income inequalities, according to types of medicines. A cross-sectional study used data from the Family Budget Surveys conducted in 2002-2003 and 2008-2009. Expenditures were corrected according to the Extended National Consumer Price Index (IPCA). The Concentration Index (CI) was calculated as a measure of inequality. Average monthly spending on medicines was BRL 53.54 in the 2002-2003 survey and BRL 59.02 in 2008-2009. CI showed spending concentration in higher-income families. Spending composition varied according to family income. Lower-income families spent predominantly on analgesics, cold medicines, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Higher-income families concentrated their spending on medicines for diabetes and hypertension (and other cardiovascular diseases). From one survey to the next, even though lower-income households reduced the percentage of their budget spent on medicines, the latter still consume a large proportion of their health spending.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Pesquisa Econômica Aplicada, Brasília, Brasil. leilapgarcia@gmail.com
authors.forename: Leila Posenato
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Garcia
authors.forename: Ana Cláudia
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Sant'Anna
authors.forename: Luís Carlos Garcia de
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Magalhães
authors.forename: Lúcia Rolim Santana de
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Freitas
authors.forename: Adriana Pacheco
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Aurea
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005252:Fees, Pharmaceutical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D007182:Income / Q000706:statistics & numerical data