Assistência farmacêutica no SUS: percepções de graduandos em farmácia da Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora

Abstract

Following an increase in social demands concerning pharmaceuticals in Brazil, there has been a growing debate on the need of qualification of the Pharmaceutical Assistance provided by the Unified Health System (SUS) and on the necessary changes to Pharmacy graduation. While health policies and health-targeted government initiatives point to the SUS managers' responsibility with the formation of human resources, the National Curriculum Guidelines recommend the formation of individuals committed to the transformation of social reality and qualified for health care. This study aims to understand the perceptions of pharmacy students of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora about the Pharmaceutical Assistance provided by the SUS, against the current health-related political and educational background. Data collection was through a qualitative approach, using semi-structured interviews, with seventeen final year pharmacy undergraduates. Data analysis, according to the content thematic analysis technique, showed that because Pharmaceutical Assistance is considered a process under construction, most undergraduates have no interest in the field, an attitude that is strengthened by a gap between the course curriculum and collectively experienced opportunities. The results point towards perceptions stimulated both by the incipience of Pharmaceutical Assistance in the SUS and the way the field is approached during graduation, the latter reflecting a curricular gap. Thus, the several perceptions shared by the study group indicate the following needs: greater proximity with management and planning pharmaceutical services; development of more adequate teaching methods; and diversification of teaching-learning scenarios within the health services.