Mudanças no acesso gratuito a medicamentos prescritos no sistema público de saúde no Brasil.

Background: The medicines are the most used and most effective therapeutic intervention for the treatment of various pathologies. The lack of access to medicines among groups with lower socioeconomic conditions represents an inequity in health care. In this sense, the public supply of medicines is free of charge by the public sector to promote equity. Objective: To evaluate the change, in time and prevalence of free access, by the Brazilian adult population, to medicines prescribed in the Unified Health System (SUS) over 10 years. Method: Data came from the National Household Sample Surveys (PNAD) conducted in Brazil in 1998, 2003 and 2008. The dependent variable was free access to prescribed medicines. Results: Free access to medicines in the SUS increased over time. Individuals with lower socioeconomic income had higher chance to access the medicines and this scenario remained constant over the years evaluated. Conclusion: The findings reveal the importance of SUS as an effective tool for promoting access to medicines, especially for the poorest individuals. However, reducing inequality in access to medicines remains a challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]