[Why rational drug use must be a priority?].

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Health Policy

Context:

• The World Health Organization defines rational drug use for optimal patient outcomes and cost-effectiveness.
• Self-medication and inappropriate drug management are prevalent issues in many regions, including Brazil.
• Medicines contribute significantly to intoxications and mortality, posing a substantial public health burden.

Purpose:

• To highlight the discrepancy between the ideal of rational drug use and the reality of medication practices.
• To underscore the negative health and economic consequences of irrational drug use.
• To emphasize the multifaceted nature of achieving rational drug use through multi-stakeholder involvement.

Summary:

• Rational drug use, crucial for patient well-being and community health, is frequently undermined by widespread self-medication and inappropriate prescribing, dispensing, or usage.
• In Brazil, 35% of medicines are self-medicated, contributing to 27% of intoxications and 16% of poisoning deaths.
• An estimated 50% of medications are used irrationally, with hospitals allocating 15-20% of their budgets to manage adverse events stemming from misuse.

Impact:

• Irrational drug use leads to severe health consequences, including increased intoxications and fatalities.
• Significant financial resources are diverted to manage the complications arising from medication misuse.
• Achieving rational drug use necessitates a complex, collaborative effort involving patients, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the pharmaceutical industry.