OVERVIEW OF EXPENDITURE ON MEDICINES IN BRAZIL (2015-2019)

Abstract

Introduction: Medicines are pharmaceutical products technically obtained or prepared for prophylactic, curative, palliative or diagnostic purposes. Difficulty in accessing medication can compromise the safety of the health care process. Objective: To present the Brazilian scenario of drug spending between 2015 and 2019, from the perspective of SHA Accounts. Method: This is a descriptive study, based on the analysis of secondary data, having as a unit of investigation the information on drug expenditures in Brazil in the public and private sector. Result: Total health expenditures were, on average, R$ 620.2 billion per year in the 2015-2019 period, which represents, on average, about 9% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the period. Of the total amount related to health expenditures, about 18% are spent annually on medicines. Household disbursement represented, on average, 89.3% of expenditures, while the Government's percentage stood at 10.7%, on average. Even though data points to a reduction in Government participation in the period, the Federal Government is the main player on the disbursement of resources for the acquisition of medicines and non-durable medical supplies in Brazil. Spending on medicines from the Popular Pharmacy Program in Brazil totaled, on average, R$ 2.6 billion, although there was a reduction of R$ 800 million in the analyzed series. Conclusion: The strengthening and expansion of public pharmaceutical care policies are essential to subsidize the population, expanding access to medicines and reducing the commitment of family income.