Right to health and pharmaceutical assistance for vulnerable populations: a look at indigenous health in Brazil Renata Favoni Biudes, Henrique Brandão Accioly de Gusmão, Amélia Cohn

Abstract

This text aims to analyze Pharmaceutical Assistance (PA) within the scope of the indigenous population, with an emphasis on the level of access to medicines listed in the clinical protocols for the pathologies most common to this population. The methodology used was bibliographic, documentary, descriptive and exploratory, through reviews such: as jurisprudence, doctrines, health protocols, Ordinances, institutional reports and scientific materials. The results demonstrate that indigenous PA has particularities in relation to the list of medications, as well as in serving these users. The purchase of medicines listed in Ordinance 1059/2015 is carried out by the Ministry of Health, through the Special Secretariat for Indigenous Health (SESAI). According to a report released by SESAI, it was found that the disposition of medicines in relation to the list recommended in the aforementioned ordinance was 79%. It is concluded that PA behaves differently when it comes to indigenous health. There is different legislation for this population in relation to the list of medications used, but even so, PA faces difficulties in promoting comprehensive care for users. These difficulties are mainly due to the high turnover of professionals and their precarious qualification. It is worth mentioning that the resources made available for indigenous health, according to the 2020 budget, had a loss in 2019, meaning a significant reduction in expenses with medicines, to less than half in relation to 2018, further compromising care to the indigenous population.