The pharmacist between prescribed and real work in Primary Health Care

Abstract The work of the pharmaceutical professional in Primary Health Care is under permanent construction. This article analyzes the work performed by pharmacists in managing what is prescribed and what is actually required in primary care in the Brazilian Federal District. This is a case study, with triangulation in the collection and analysis of data, obtained through interviews and observation of the work of pharmacists from five Health Regions, resulting in three categories: structure of pharmacies; work organization; time and tasks. The study shows that the pharmacist’s performance is centered on the following groups of actions: breaks; managerial/logistics work; interruption; service to users. Tasks related to user assistance are punctual and sporadic, with the focus on management, especially logistics. Despite the structural limits of pharmacies, there are elements in the context that can favor the expansion of technical assistance activities: guaranteeing access to medicines as an ethical principle; the regulations; the learning attitude of professionals and openness to face the unusual; the connection with the needs of the Basic Health Unit team; the collective action of pharmacists and training on pharmaceutical care.