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Published Online, 31 July 2007, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K080.
 The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 41, No. 9, pp. 1486-1493. DOI 10.1345/aph.1K080
© 2007 Harvey Whitney Books Company.
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Pharmaceutical Care in Community Pharmacies: Practice and Research in Brazil

Mauro Silveira de Castro, PhD

Professor of Hospital Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Department of Drug Production and Quality Control, School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Cassyano Januário Correr, MSc (Pharm)

Professor of Pharmaceutical Care, Pharmacy Practice Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Federal University of Paraná, Brazil

Reprints: Dr. Correr, Rua Pinheiro Guimarães, 420 bl.4 ap.404 Portão, Curitiba, PR. CEP 80330-250, fax 55413360-4100, cassyano{at}ufpr.br

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the provision of pharmaceutical services and pharmaceutical care in Brazil.

FINDINGS: Professional training and pharmaceutical services are undergoing a period of restructuring in Brazil, including the adoption of incentives for pharmaceutical care. Some important national measures include the rational use of medications, evidence-based medicine, and pharmacovigilance. A new and more generalist pharmacy curriculum is being implemented and tailored for the Brazilian Public Health System; recently, the Brazilian government has provided resources for pharmaceutical care research.

DISCUSSION: A proposal for national consensus in Brazilian pharmaceutical care was published in 2002. The components of this proposal include drug dispensing, counseling, health education, symptoms advice, and pharmacotherapy follow-up. Pharmacy practice is currently focused on drug dispensing and logistic aspects of drug distribution. Professionals are satisfied with patients' confidence in being counseled by pharmacists and reveal interest in extending their role in patient care. Most pharmacy customers were originally unaware of the term "pharmaceutical care"; however, following an explanation, they showed an interest in this service. Furthermore, over 50% stated that they would pay for this service. Despite these initiatives, numerous barriers to the development of pharmaceutical care remain, the main ones being the commercial objective of most pharmacies that sell medications and the insufficient training of professionals. Although government-owned pharmacies also distribute medications, they do not meet all of the needs of the population and lack sufficient pharmacists.

CONCLUSIONS: Several actions are required to stimulate the implementation and development of pharmaceutical care and services in Brazil. Recent research incentives in pharmaceutical care and reorientation of pharmacy education will contribute to this development.

Key Words: Brazil, community pharmacy services, pharmaceutical care

Published Online, July 31, 2007. www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1K080




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