Failures in Pharmaceutical Services management for Judicialized Medicines, in 16 municipalities of the Brazilian Southeast

ABSTRACT Since the 1990s, judicial demands for medicines have intensified. Several studies have outlined these demands. We describe the organization of the management of Municipal Pharmaceutical Services (PS) for the provision of medicines demanded through litigation. The sample included 16 municipalities, four for each state in the Brazilian Southeast. To describe the management profile of PS, a matrix of indicators was developed including dimensions of human and financial resources, and PS activities. In nine municipalities, management of medicines acquired through litigation was the responsibility of the local manager of PS. Indicators on expenditures with litigated medicines were the ones with the worst performance. Only six managers informed using technical analysis of prescriptions and regular contact with the judiciary. In seven municipalities, managers were unable to specify the modality of acquisition of medicines. Municipal management plays a major role in the management of PS and must be reviewed, with the need for a thorough questioning regarding its role and possible changes it needs to implement.