Between scarcity and need: Availability and use of antibiotics in the Unified Health System
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v14i9.49465Keywords:
Antibiotics, Bacterial resistance, Primary care, Basic pharmacy, Public policies.Abstract
The general objective of this research is to analyze the impacts of the limited availability of antibiotics in primary health care. The specific objectives include identifying the main antibiotics used at this level of care, assessing the clinical consequences of the unavailability of these drugs, and proposing strategies to optimize their access and use. This study addresses the impacts of limited antibiotic availability in basic pharmacies, especially in primary health care, where respiratory, urinary, and skin infections are prevalent. Based on a literature review, it analyzes the effects of this restriction on clinical management and the worsening of health conditions, highlighting the importance of public policies such as the WHO Essential Medicines List and RENAME. The results suggest that integrating these policies, together with optimizing distribution logistics and the rational use of medicines, can mitigate the identified problems. It is concluded that expanding access to antibiotics is essential to reduce health inequalities and strengthen primary care, contributing to improving the population’s quality of life and combating bacterial resistance.
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