title: Access to medication in the Public Health System and equity: populational health surveys in São Paulo, Brazil.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Since 2003, the access to medication has been increasing in Brazil and particularly in São Paulo. The present study aimed to analyze the access to medication obtained in the public sector and the socioeconomic differences in this access in 2003 and 2008. Also, we explored the difference in access to medication from 2003 to 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were obtained from two cross-sectional population-based household surveys from São Paulo, Brazil (ISA-Capital 2003 and ISA-Capital 2008). Concentration curve and concentration index were calculated to analyze the associations between socioeconomic factors and access to medication in the public sector. Additionally, the differences between 2003 and 2008 regarding socioeconomic characteristics and access to medication were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Access to medication was 89.55% in 2003 and 92.99% in 2008, and the proportion of access to medication did not change in the period. Access in the public sector increased from 26.40% in 2003 to 48.55% in 2008 and there was a decrease in the concentration index between 2003 and 2008 in access to medication in the public sector.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate an expansion of Brazilian Unified Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde ) users, with the inclusion of people of higher socioeconomic position in the public sector. As the SUS gives more support to people of lower socioeconomic position in terms of medication provision, the SUS tends to equity. Nevertheless, universal coverage for medication and equity in access to medication in the public sector are still challenges for the Brazilian public health system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Camila Nascimento
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Monteiro
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Reinaldo José
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Gianini
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marilisa Berti de Azevedo
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Chester Luiz Galvão
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Cesar
authors.affiliation: Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Moisés
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goldbaum
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006306:Health Surveys; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010593:Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011634:Public Health; D017150:Public Sector; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult