Rational Drug Use in the Context of the Family Health Strategy: only access is not enough!

Abstract

According World Health Organization, the Rational DrugUse (RDU) requires the patients receive the appropriate medicine for their clinical condition, in the proper dose for their needs, for an adequate period of time, by the lowest cost to them. Other important requirement for RDU is the patients should handle the medicine according to it specifications and they should follow the usage guidelines communicated by health professionals. This study aim to describe the knowledge of the users of a Family Health Unit (FHU), concerning medicines and drugs, according to the information related to RDU. The work was carried out by a descriptive cross-sectional study. Data collection was conducted through a form, applied to a random sample of patients of FHU (N = 18), between February and March 2012. Considering the user's knowledge about the drug name, correct identification of the packaging of the prescribed medicine, doses and proper storage, it was understood that the level of knowledge of the studied population is partial; therefore, insufficient for the RDU. It was observed that patients are not aware of essential information concerning their own medicines. Even though they receiving the appropriate medicine for their own clinical condition, meaning suitable dose, correct period required correct treatment the majority of patients could not identify their own medicines or handle and properly use them. Also, URD requires the provision, to patients, of adequate information about the pharmacotherapy; because only the access to medicines, even those indicated for patients clinical condition is not enough.