REGIONALIZATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL ASSISTANCE: A STRATEGY TO GUARANTEE AVAILABILITY OF MEDICINES

Abstract

 Objectives: To present the Estratégia da Regionalização da Assistência Farmacêutica (ERAF) developed in the brazilian state of Minas Gerais. Methods: Experience report that you want to record the main features of ERAF and the results obtained in this model. Results: The main results ERAF are the expansion of cast and financing of basic medicines, cost reduction in the purchase of these items, as well as optimization of delivery times of drugs in municipalities. In the new model of acquisition and distribution of medicines adopted by the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais, the State has made available Prices Registration Minutes for the acquisition of basic medicines by municipalities, allowing the improvement of the actions related to the supply of medicines. In ERAF, it was made available to municipalities specific module in the Sistema Integrado de Gerenciamento da Assistência (SIGAF) and direct distribution technology in the pharmaceutical industry was used, drastically reducing the existing logistical problems so far. Conclusions: It was found that the availability of pharmaceutical units in the new model has increased considerably and has achieved a saving of R$ 17 million to municipalities that joined the ERAF. These data demonstrate that ERAF shown as a public policy designed to increase the availability of medicines in the Brazilian Public Health System, providing a more efficient medicines procurement in municipalities.