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
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2025
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Edições Universitárias Lusófonas
Resumo
A região centro de Portugal é uma região muito envelhecida e apresenta um maior risco de pobreza. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar os programas municipais de reembolso de custos associados a medicamentos em idosos de baixos rendimentos, caracterizar os idosos e conhecer o seu perfil de medicação. Pesquisa e análise retrospetiva de dados sobre os programas municipais de comparticipação de medicamentos no primeiro semestre de 2023. Cinco municípios da CIMRBSE apresentavam programas próprios de reembolso de custos associados a medicamentos. Trezentos e catorze idosos beneficiaram destes programas, estes tinham prescritos 2312 medicamentos e gasto 53732,77 euros. Os municípios reembolsaram-nos em 39176,5 euros. Os programas municipais permitiram que os idosos beneficiassem em média de cerca de 22 euros por mês por idoso, sendo o programa do Município de Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo o que permitiu o maior reembolso. Apesar disso, a adesão aos programas municipais foi reduzida, o que se poderá dever à reduzida divulgação dos referidos programas e ao isolamento cada vez maior dos idosos em meio rural. A existência de programas municipais que apoiem os idosos vulneráveis no acesso à medicação essencial promovem a saúde e bem-estar, reduzindo as desigualdades sociais e económicas e promovendo a equidade entre a população idosa.
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.
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.
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MEDICAMENTOS, ACESSO AOS MEDICAMENTOS, MEDICAÇÃO, POLIMEDICAÇÃO, IDOSOS, DESIGUALDADES SOCIAIS, MEIO RURAL, COMPARTICIPAÇÃO DE MEDICAMENTOS, MUNICÍPIOS, PORTUGAL, DRUGS (PHARMACOLOGY), ACCESS TO MEDICINES, MEDICATION, POLYPHARMACY, ELDERLY, SOCIAL INEQUALITIES, RURAL ENVIRONMENT, DRUG REIMBURSEMENT, MUNICIPALITIES, SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities, Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research Vol. 22 n.º1 (2025)
Citação
Perpétuo, C, Plácido, A I, Mateos-Campos, R, Herdeiro, M T & Roque, F 2025, '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', Biomedical and biopharmaceutical research : jornal de investigação biomédica e biofarmacêutica, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 75-93. https://doi.org/10.19277/bbr.22.1.350