Distribution of medicines in a health service of a municipality of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The efficiency of managing distribution of medicines is essential to fullfil the needs of these products to the health care units, besides collaborating for the control of resources. The proposal is to analyze the distribution of medicines process in a primary care network in the city of Arez, RN (Brazil). Method: Transversal descriptive study. The data collection was obtained from the central warehouse of the health care unit, through inspection checklist. Results: The unit develops activities related to a pharmaceutical supply center, and dispenses medicines to patients too, being responsible for all the logistics of distribution. Is the only unit that has pharmacist in its staff in the municipality. The city has no schedule for distribution of medicines, so there is no specific date for medicine request. The lack of standard documents for registration and control of activities makes it impossible to reporting to city managers. The pharmacy unity is qualified for storage, because there are equipment and infrastructure necessary. Conclusion: The elaboration of standard form to request medicines appears to contribute not only to the logistics of distribution, but also as a tool for improving the management of pharmaceutical care. The evaluation of the medicines distribution process indicates that there is availability of medicines, however, it is necessary to invest in human and physical resources to make this process more efficient.