Drugstores want to be the '' gateway '' health system

Sao Paulo-the big networks of pharmacies, linked to the Brazilian Association of Pharmacies and Drugstores (Abrafarma), want to become a '' gateway '' health system. With a pharmaceutical assistance program present in 642 shops (about 10% of the total), the goal is to get, in the next three years, 30%; expanding the list of services also.
The biggest obstacle to consolidation, according to the Chief Executive of Abrafarma, Sergio Mena Barreto, is the lack of federal regulation, since the legal uncertainty ends up inhibiting business investment. 13,021 law, confirming the pharmacy as a health facility and enables the provision of pharmaceutical care services, was passed in 2014. So far, however, the national health surveillance agency (Anvisa) regulated fundamental aspects not related to how the services should be provided.
"The agency regulated the size of the room, necessary structure and, mainly, the question of how vaccination should be made and some tests. So, we''re operating in '' beta '' stage, waiting for federal regulation. When she leaves, we will have certainty to develop the program consistently, "he says.
The Executive explained that, despite the federal regulation, oversight and authorization is made in the municipal scope. As today there still isn''t a Bill worth for the whole country, each city has just overseeing and enforcing different requirements. "As these are networks with presence in several States and municipalities in Brazil that makes a lot of acting," he says.
The pharmaceutical Coordinator of Payless, Cristiane Falola, also points to the lack of federal regulation as the main barrier. According to her, the network, which today offers eight types of services in clinical care rooms 517, has an interest in expanding the range and provide, for example, vaccination. "Haven''t we offer because the rules are not clear. We are waiting to decide about the surveillance issue first. "
The Panvel, which has 43 pharmaceutical assistance operations, goes on the same line. Full network pharmaceutical, Aline Fernandes da Silva, says the company is interested in offering the immunization service and laboratory tests, but that must come before the adjustment. "We''re prepared for that, just waiting for her to come. So come, we implement in our stores, "he says. The expectation in the market, according to her, is that the Anvisa regulation services in the first half of this year. Barreto, for your time, signals that, if all goes well '', the regulation will come within four months.
The paper on health
From the moment that the barriers are overcome, Barreto believes the drugstores will have the potential to become the '' gateway '' to the health system. "The service is not intended to replace medical consultation, but would like a first screening," he points out.
In the view of the expert, the pharmaceutical services, after consolidated, could contribute to vent the unified health system (SUS). He claims that much of the line of SUS occurs on account of '' damages '' (illnesses that worsened because the patient didn''t follow the treatment). "Generates a greater demand for the SUS and the private system without the need, since there are situations that could be avoided with proper follow-up treatment within the pharmacies."
More than being the '' gateway '', Feijó, pay less, says the company wants to become protagonist of the Brazilian health care system. "All new affiliates that we open will come with the clinic," he says. Last month, the network held more than 110,000 visits to about 9000 different customers. By the end of this year, the forecast is close to 700 units providing pharmaceutical care.
The Panvel also plans to expand the program this year and has the goal of doubling the number of operations, reaching 80 units. "We understand that this is the future of pharmacies. In other countries, like the United States, it''s evolved, and we see no other way for the Brazil that is not this, "says Aline.
On the consolidation of the industry program, the expert stated that, in addition to the regulatory issues, there is a cultural barrier to be overcome. According to her, there is little knowledge of the Brazilian consumer the respect of services: "is missing. People try the services and feel confident. "
The Superintendent of the Drugstore São Bento, Flavia Buinain, adds that the difficulty is to create a demand that does not yet exist, since the Brazilian is not accustomed to consult with the pharmacist. "There is a spontaneous demand for this type of care, and the challenge is this: to make the population aware of the existence of the program."
Like other interviewees, she states that the potential for contribution to the Brazilian health system is very large. As an example, she cites a unit of St. Benedict in the municipality of Campo Grande (MS). "The store is right next to a clinic and the nurses commented that there was a large decrease in demand after the inauguration of the service room," he says.
"Often people go in for small problems. We want to contribute in this direction, in the basic care of the population ", concludes the pharmacist.