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A policy of free access to asthma medicines in Brazil: an opportunity for pharmacists to optimize asthma treatment

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Abstract

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways that is characterized by recurrent symptoms associated with airflow limitation and by bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Free asthma treatment has been guaranteed in Brazil since 2003, notably after the Brazilian government decided to support drugs for the most serious forms of the disease. The asthma treatment access policy in Brazil offers a new opportunity for pharmacists to work closely with patients, and for caregivers and health care teams to promote educational activities and patient counselling about asthma. Pharmacists have an important role in the management of drug therapy within the health care team. Pharmacists should be prepared to engage with the latest concept of health care delivery proposed for Brazilian Unified Health System. These are centred on forming health care networks and strengthening multidisciplinary teams to integrate all professionals who are in charge of patient care.

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The authors report no conflicts of interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pharmacy Unit, Professor Edgard Santos University Hospital, Federal University of Bahia, Rua Augusto Viana, Sn, Canela, Serviço de Farmácia, Salvador, Bahia, Zip Code 40110-160, Brazil

    Pablo Moura Santos

  2. School of Pharmacy, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

    Lúcia Noblat

  3. Program for the Control of Asthma (ProAR) and Center of Excellence in Asthma, School of Medicine, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil

    Pablo Moura Santos & Álvaro A. Cruz

Authors
  1. Pablo Moura Santos
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  2. Lúcia Noblat
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  3. Álvaro A. Cruz
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Correspondence to Pablo Moura Santos.

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Santos, P.M., Noblat, L. & Cruz, Á.A. A policy of free access to asthma medicines in Brazil: an opportunity for pharmacists to optimize asthma treatment. Int J Clin Pharm 35, 510–512 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-013-9807-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11096-013-9807-7

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