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Publication of the National Committee for the Promotion of the Rational Use of Medicines brings recommendations and strategies for a better use of medicines

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The National Committee for the Promotion of the Rational Use of Medicines launched on Monday (8), at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in Brasília (DF), the publication “Use of medicines and medicalization of life: recommendations and strategies”.

The document is the result of a debate held in August 2018 between representatives of the Committee and experts on three topics: medicalization of life, use of medicines by groups in situations of vulnerability and rational use of antimicrobials.

According to the publication, when used improperly, medicines can be harmful to health and even lead to death. "It is important to emphasize that the drug is an important technology in the therapeutic process of numerous types of diseases, however, it is necessary to highlight the indiscriminate and often unnecessary use", highlighted the document.

To address the issue, the report stated that it is essential that health professionals are aware of the various aspects related to the patient's pharmacotherapy, noting whether in fact a particular drug is indicated, whether it is effective and safe, and whether there is adherence to treatment.

As a result of the process of medicalization of life, Fernanda Rebelo, general manager of product monitoring at the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA), pointed out an alarming increase in the consumption of antibiotics of therapeutic classes that are not necessarily the first treatment option.

This contributes to the growth of antimicrobial resistance. “In the last four years, the number of prescriptions and consumption of antibiotics in the (Brazilian) states has almost tripled. We started doing laboratory analysis and the data on resistance is worrying and impactful. It is a global problem that must be tackled more properly”, he stated.

Tomás Pippo, coordinator of Medicines and Health Technology at PAHO/WHO Brazil, recalled that the “irrational use of medicines, in addition to not producing benefits for health, can generate negative consequences and waste to the health system”. These resources could be reallocated to expand coverage and access, which is not always equitable, he justified.

He also highlighted the need to integrate pharmacists with health teams. “Pharmaceutical care requires the work of multidisciplinary teams. Everyone has a responsibility to fulfill, but the work needs to be integrated. We call for the strengthening of these teams and assistance”, he said.

"We need to have the pharmacist as a partner who not only dispenses medication, but who looks at people clinically, promotes pharmacotherapy and expands access to the rational use of quality medication", added Sandra Barros, director of the Department of Pharmaceutical Assistance and Supplies Ministry of Health strategies.

Pippo highlighted that Brazil was one of the first countries to create a committee for the rational use of medicines and that it has important tools, such as the National List of Essential Medicines (Rename), the National Medicines Policy and the Pharmaceutical Assistance Policy. “Normally, we have everything we need. Now, the challenge is to implement, to make the assistance arrive in an equitable way”.

The publication, according to Evandro Lupatini, general coordinator for Monitoring National Policies on Pharmaceutical Assistance and Medicines of the Ministry of Health, is the result of the work of more than 40 people, who worked in national and international contexts of agendas in which it is necessary move forward to actually impact the health and quality of life of the population.

National Committee

The Committee is a consultative body established within the Ministry of Health, whose objective is to guide and propose actions, strategies and activities to promote the rational use of medicines within the scope of the National Health Promotion Policy.

It is composed of PAHO, ANVISA, Ministry of Education (MEC), Federal Council of Medicine (CFM), National Federation of Physicians (FENAM), Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC), Federal Council of Pharmacy (CFF), Federal Council of Dentistry (CFO), National Federation of Pharmacists (FENAFAR), National Council of Health Secretaries (CONASS).

Other members include National Council of Municipal Health Secretariats (CONASEMS), Federal Council of Nursing (COFEN), National Health Council (CNS)/user representation, Forum of Federal Councils in the Area of ​​Health (FCFAS), Interstate Federation of Dentists (FIO), Forum on Medicalization of Education and Society and Institute for Safe Practices in the Use of Medicines (ISMP-Brazil).

Click here to access the publication.