Ethics and pharmaceutical services in primary health care: daily challenges

Abstract This study aimed to identify and discuss ethical problems experienced by pharmacists in primary health care. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with 19 pharmacists in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil. The content of interviews was analyzed through thematic-categorical analysis in the light of bioethics references. Ten ethical problems were identified related to the political dimension of the working process and health care, involving issues related to the structure of services and work environment, and management of health services. An ethical analysis to solve these questions is an important strategy to improve pharmaceutical services in primary health care.