Pharmaceutical care effectiveness in brazilian healthcare setting: PrEP knowledge and adherence

Abstract

PrEP is a globally effective and safe healthcare technology that substantially reduces HIV incidence. Pharmacists have played a crucial role in promoting PrEP scale-up, however, there is a lack of studies in the Brazilian context. This intervention study, conducted in Central Brazil from 2021 to 2022, assessed pharmaceutical care's effectiveness in enhancing PrEP knowledge and adherence among high-risk individuals for HIV acquisition. Over 80% of 150 participants, were predominantly male, homosexual, averaging 31.4 years old, single, and highly educated, and showed normal liver and kidney function with no HIV seroconversions. The Intervention Group (IG) displayed significant statistical differences in PrEP knowledge (p<0.001) and adherence (p<0.008) compared to the control group. The clinical pharmacist effectively resolved 27 drug-related problems with no adverse effects on participants. This study is pioneering within the Brazilian context, making a significant contribution to the advancement of scientific understanding regarding the role of pharmaceutical services in fostering PrEP utilization in Brazil.