Inequalities in Access to Medicines for Chronic Diseases in Different Regions of Brazil: A Population-Based Study.

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze the economic and regional inequalities in access to medicines for diabetes and hypertension among the adult population in Brazil.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study with adults aged 18 and over from the VIGITEL study conducted in 2019 in all Brazilian regions. Non-access to antidiabetic and antihypertensive drugs was assessed according to education and housing macro-region. The slope index of inequality (SII) was used to analyze the absolute inequalities.ResultsThe total number of individuals interviewed was 52,443. Approximately 10.0% of people with diabetes and/or hypertension reported not having access to drug treatment. For antihypertensive drugs, the main means of obtaining it in all regions was the private pharmacy, and for antidiabetics, the North had greater access through private pharmacies, while the Northeast, Southeast and South had greater access through public setor. Inequalities were found in the lack of access to medicines according to the region of residence, mainly for the North region.ConclusionThe lack of access to medicines showed regional disparities, mainly in the most economically vulnerable regions.