Access to high-priced medicines: inequalities in the organization and the results among Brazilian states.

This case study aimed to characterize the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Services (CEAF) organization in four Brazilian states from diverse regions of the country. Data were collected with representatives of CEAF management from states in different regions, who answered a 21-question questionnaire on scope, organization, financing, hurdles, and facilitators. This information was complemented with data from national health surveys, DataSUS, the applied resources, and socioeconomic indicators.

The pharmacy workforce in public primary healthcare centers: promoting access and information on medicines.

Background: Only few studies have analyzed the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers, and a global recommendation calls for better understanding of the trends that shape workforce development and capacity.

Objective: To analyze the distribution of the pharmaceutical workforce in primary healthcare centers in the national health system [Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS)] in Brazil.

Methods: The study was conducted using data from the National Survey on Access, Use and Promotion of Rational Use of Medicines in Brazil.

An evaluation of governance capacity of the specialized component of pharmaceutical services in Brazil.

This paper presents application of an indicator protocol to assessment of current levels of governance capacity of the Specialized Component of Pharmaceutical Services (CEAF) in a state of the South of Brazil. We chose the theoretical referential of 'governance capacity' proposed by Carlos Matus, which reflects in the concepts of management capacity and pharmaceutical service management, due to the perception of a need to overcome the fragmentation and technicist reductionism that we believe has been imposed on the area of pharmaceutical services. Data was collected using the protocol in 74 municipal or state units.