A relação entre indústria farmacêutica e a assistência farmacêutica no âmbito do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS): a compra estadual e municipal de medicamentos no Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

This dissertation studies the relationship between the pharmaceutical industry and pharmaceutical care within the Unified Health System. The aim is to evaluate how drug purchases for primary pharmaceutical care for hypertension, diabetes, asthma and rhinitis programs are done. Data was collected in Rio de Janeiro State and Municipal Health Secretariats, from January 2000 to December 2006. Unit prices were compared in Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro Municipality and the Health Prices Bank [Banco de Preços em Saúde]. ABCFARMA Journal s databank was used, since it informs retail unit prices. According to the research, Rio de Janeiro State purchases drugs of higher unit prices than the municipality and the bank. The hypothesis is that this higher unit price is due to the several emergency purchases, which make suppliers compensate their risk with higher prices. Moreover, since most suppliers are drug distributors, these could rise unit prices, as they had had problems with state payments. According to the State Health Secretariat authorities, this undesirable situation is being overcome through a new form of drug purchase. On the other hand, Rio de Janeiro Municipal administration purchases drugs through prices competition, what allowed them to buy drugs of lower prices. Most suppliers of the Municipal Health Secretariat are pharmaceutical industries, what reduces prices. The conclusion is that Rio de Janeiro State underwent stock crises or irregular stocks in primary pharmaceutical care programs, which made prices rise; also, Rio de Janeiro Municipal administration has succeeded in purchasing drugs in more favorable conditions than Rio de Janeiro State.