title: [Access to high-cost drugs in Brazil from the perspective of physicians, pharmacists and patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore perceptions on access to medication supplied by the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Assistance (CEAF) within the Brazilian Unified Health System (which includes high-cost drugs) by the actors involved in the healthcare services of this component.
  
  
  METHODS
  A descriptive, qualitative study was carried out by using a focal group with 7 users and 11 semi-structured interviews with health professionals (physicians and pharmacist) in the state of Santa Catarina.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to the participants, access to medicines had improved. Two main perceptions of the CEAF Clinical Guidelines were identified: the requirements constitute a bureaucracy that limits access, and the requisites increase the demand for tests and specialized healthcare services, exceeding the capacity of the healthcare services network. These assumptions generated the search for other means of access that revealed a lack of information and understanding of the right to health among the users. In addition, according to the participants, because of the difficulties of accessing services as a whole, full access to CEAF medicines is a goal that remains to be achieved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although access to CEAF medicines has improved, there are still some difficulties in guaranteeing treatment access and comprehensiveness.
authors: Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil. Electronic address: marinarover@yahoo.com.br.
authors: Marina Raijche Mattozo
authors: MR
authors: Rover
authors: Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors: Claudia Marcela
authors: CM
authors: Vargas-Pelaez
authors: Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors: Mareni
authors: M
authors: Rocha Farias
authors: Programa de Pós-graduação em Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brasil.
authors: Silvana
authors: S
authors: Nair Leite
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D016527:Drug Costs; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D010361:Patients; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010595:Pharmacists; D010820:Physicians; D011306:Prescription Fees; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations
keywords: Accesibilidad a los servicios de salud; Brasil; Brazil; Clinical practice guidelines as topic; Drugs, essential; Guías de práctica clínica como asunto; Health services accessibility; Medicamentos esenciales; Pharmaceutical services; Servicios farmacéuticos; Technology, high-cost; Tecnología de alto costo