ANÁLISE DOS GASTOS PRIVADOS COM MEDICAMENTOS DURANTE A PANDEMIA POR COVID-19 EM UM MUNICÍPIO DO ESPÍRITO SANTO, BRASIL

Medicines play a crucial role in promoting health, both in preventing and treating diseases. In the Brazilian context, the assessment of access to medicines covers their availability in the Unified Health System, direct out-of-pocket disbursements, and the impact on family income. To analyze medication expenses during the Covid-19 pandemic, we conducted a health survey among residents of the municipality of Alegre, Espírito Santo. A total of 697 individuals were interviewed. Approximately 70.3% of respondents reported out-of-pocket expenses on medicines in the previous month. The average monthly expenditure on medicines was R$150.59, corresponding to 12.4% of the minimum wage at the time. Factors such as older age, higher income, using multiple medications, having had dental appointments, using private or philanthropic medical services, being bedridden, and not self-medicating were associated with higher private spending on medications. Analyzing access to and spending on medicines is essential to ensuring equity in healthcare, as it helps identify financial barriers that may prevent access to essential treatments, directly impacting adherence and therapeutic efficacy.