PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE FROM THE VIEWPOINT OF PRESCRIPTORS AT A COUNTY OF EASTERN SERIDÓ POTIGUAR

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the perception of prescribers of Primary Health  Care drugs in Currais Novos, RN, Brazil about Pharmaceutical Assistance,  through a cross-sectional, with quantitative approach study. Data collection  took place via an instrument adapted from the National Research on Access,  Use, and Rational Use of Medicines methodology. Of the 34 professionals,  41.18% were physicians and 58.82% dentists, with a prevalence of females  (55.88%). The prevalent employment contract was the contract (32.35%)  under a 40-hour weekly regime (55.88%). Most prescribers (73.52%) knew  about the Standardized List of Medicines (73.52%); however, 61.77% of  these never participated in its elaboration and 61.76% did not know the procedure to request inclusion and/or exclusion of drugs in the list. Medication protocols and access to the Drug Information Center were not a  reality (73.54% and 2.94%, respectively). Adoption of the Brazilian Common Denomination was cited by 52.94% of the respondents. Information on  medicines availability at the County pharmacy was referred to as usual  (70.59%), and when the prescribers identified a lack of them, they used to  substitute in the prescription (76.47%). Patients’ adherence to the prescription was prevalent for respondents (55.89%). However, the technical complaints and adverse drug events notification were low (14.71%). The  prescribers’ evaluation about pharmaceutical assistance activities presented  positive points and others that can be improved. Therefore, it is necessary to bring the prescribers closer to this practice via interprofessional work.