Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that more than 15 million women sought out the Farmácia Popular program between January of last year and January of this year. According to the ministry, they represent 62% of people who collect medicines, free or with co-payment, and other supplies, such as sanitary pads and geriatric diapers. “Since the resumption of the program, when the distribution of specific drugs for women’s health began on June 7, more than 404 thousand women have had access to medicines for osteoporosis and contraception. The dispensing of these two specific types reached 3.7 million units”, informed the ministry.
Free
The numbers also point to an increase in the supply of 100% free medicines to beneficiaries since the resumption of the program last June – around 2.7 million women had access to medications. In total, the amount amounts to more than 1 billion medicines and geriatric diapers collected by this public.
The program
Farmácia Popular do Brasil aims to facilitate the population’s access to medicines considered essential, which are offered free of charge or at reduced prices, in partner pharmacies. Currently, the program can be accessed in 4,664 municipalities and has 1,132 accredited pharmacies or drugstores.
Absorbents
Also according to the ministry, since the beginning of the distribution of pads, on January 17, 2024, the Menstrual Dignity Program has benefited more than 1 million women in 3,500 municipalities, through the collaboration of 15,200 pharmacies accredited. With a total transfer of R$21.7 million, more than 43.6 million sanitary pads were distributed. “The program aims to tackle misinformation and raise awareness about menstruation as a natural phenomenon that deserves acceptance and care. These collective actions aim not only to provide essential products, but also to create opportunities for all people to access spaces and rights fairly and without restrictions.”
Test for HPV detection by SUS
The Ministry of Health incorporated into the Unified Health System (SUS) a test for detecting HPV in women, classified by the ministry itself as innovative. The technology uses molecular testing to detect the virus and screen for cervical cancer. The ordinance was published this Friday (8) in the Official Gazette of the Union. In a note, the ministry reported, in Brasília, that it had invested R$18 million in a pilot project that used the test throughout 2023 in Pernambuco. “The decision to incorporate the strategy for use throughout the national territory is a win for women, as, in addition to being an effective technology for early detection and diagnosis, it brings the advantage of increasing the interval between which the exam is carried out”, he explains. the note.
Pap smear
According to the Ministry of Health, while the current form of HPV screening, through the exam popularly known as Pap smear, must be carried out every three years and, in case of detection of any lesion, annually, the testing proposed by the technology incorporated is recommended to be done every five years. “This change brings better adherence and facilitates access to the exam.”
Sexually transmitted
HPV is currently considered the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide and the main cause of cervical cancer. The ministry’s estimate is that around 17 thousand women are diagnosed with the disease in Brazil every year. Despite being a disease that can be prevented, it remains the fourth most common type of cancer and the fourth cause of death from cancer in women – especially black, poor and with low levels of formal education.
Tags: Popular Pharmacy women account beneficiaries
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