title: [Expenditures on medicines by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Brazil, 2002-2011].
abstract: This study analyzed time trends in the purchase of medicines by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department, Brazil, from 2002 to 2011, analyzing data on total annual amounts and unit prices. Annual expenditure per inhabitant and expenditures on medicines as a proportion of total municipal health spending were calculated. Expenditures were adjusted according to the Expanded Consumer Price Index to compare them to 2011. Medicines were classified according to the predominant place of use (in-hospital or primary care) and the WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Adjusted total expenditures totaled some BRL 575 million, with a decline over the period. Antimicrobials and medicines for the cardiovascular and nervous systems accounted for 55% of total expenditures. There was a shift from in-hospital spending on medicines to those used predominantly in primary care. The analysis can contribute to healthcare management and emphasizes the need to reorient the municipality's policy for medicines.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rondineli Mendes da
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Social, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rosângela
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Caetano
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D016527:Drug Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000191:economics; D014505:Urban Population