PHARMACEUTICAL CARE IN HANSEN´S DISEASE AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Hansen´s disease mainly aff ects superfi cial skin nerves and peripheral nerve trunks, in addition to aff ecting eyes and internal organs and, if not treated in the initial form, usually become transmissible and can reach people of any gender and age. According to the World Health Organization, in Brazil, there was an incidence of 26,875 leprosy cases in 2017, or 12.8% of the global total, being the second country with the largest
number of new cases. It is evident the need to adopt strategies to control the disease in the country and to combat its complications, as well as the creation of awareness campaigns on the main symptoms and treatments available, and programs to address discrimination and inclusion besides patients’ social status. Health education and pharmaceutical care in this context are fundamental and for this reason, a bibliographic narrative review was performed, with research in scientifi c databases, national and international institutional websites, guides and guidelines. Health education is considered by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health as one of the most important tools to combat leprosy. From the search, it was possible to verify a correlation between education level, level of information about the disease, early diagnosis and treatment adherence. Although the actions of the pharmacist are essential, it should be noted that all health professionals could develop activities at a multiprofessional level and in health education aiming at the quality of life of the individual with leprosy in addition to changing the stigma of the disease.