Characterization of Municipal Reimbursement Programs that support costs associated with Medicines for Low-Income Older Adults in the Intermunicipal Community of Beira and Serra da Estrela Region

The central region of Portugal has an aging population and faces a greater poverty risk. This study aimed to characterize the municipal reimbursement programs that support costs associated with medicines for low-income seniors, characterize seniors, and analyze their medication profile. Research and retrospective data analysis into municipal medicines reimbursement programs in the first half of 2023. Five municipalities of the Intermunicipal Community of the Beira and Serra Estrela Region established their own programs to support costs associated with medicines. A total of three hundred and fourteen seniors benefited from these programs, and they had prescribed 2312 medicines, leading to a cost of 53732.77 euros. The municipalities reimbursed 39176.5 euros. The municipal programs allowed seniors to benefit from approximately 22 euros monthly on average for each senior, with the Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo municipality's program providing the highest reimbursement. The adherence to municipal programs has been low, possibly due to the poor dissemination of these programs and the increasing isolation of seniors in rural areas. The existence of municipal programs that support the most vulnerable seniors in accessing essential medication promotes health and well-being, reduces social and economic disparities, providing equality among this population.