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Popular Pharmacy, a program established by the Federal Government, provides medicines free of charge or at a significant discount to treat a variety of diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension. In this way, it facilitates access and contributes to improving public health.
In this text, we will explain how Popular Pharmacy works, who is eligible for it, and what steps should be followed to obtain the medicines. Stay with us to deepen your knowledge of the topic.
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What defines Popular Pharmacy?
The Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program (PFPB), or simply Popular Pharmacy, is an initiative of the Ministry of Health in partnership with drugstores and pharmacies to increase citizens’ access to medicines used in Primary Health Care. As of June this year, medicines for treating osteoporosis and contraceptives were added to the program.
The main objective is to ensure access, especially for those who cannot afford to fully cover the costs of their prescribed treatments.
Free medicines vs. discounted medicines
Farmácia Popular provides some medicines free of charge, but also allows others to be purchased at a discount. In the latter case, medicines for dyslipidemia, rhinitis, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma and adult diapers are offered.
In these situations, the patient covers only a small fraction of the price of the medicines. The Ministry of Health covers up to 90% of the medicine’s listed price.
In total, considering both categories, Farmácia Popular offers treatment for 11 diseases. Check here the complete list of available medicines.
Who qualifies to receive free medicines?
To obtain free or discounted medicines through the Farmácia Popular program, you must meet certain criteria. They are:
Income profile: in June this year, the Federal Government announced that all 55 million Brazilians who are Bolsa Família beneficiaries can obtain free medicines through Farmácia Popular. Therefore, all medicines available through the program are completely free for this group.
Patients with chronic diseases: Farmácia Popular offers free medications to treat asthma, diabetes, and hypertension to the entire population. In some situations, however, the amount of medication offered may vary according to the type of treatment required.
Patients who need adult diapers: to access adult diapers sold at a discount through Farmácia Popular, the beneficiary must be 60 years old or older or be a person with a disability.
How to obtain free medications through Farmácia Popular?
Now that you know who qualifies for the benefits provided by the Farmácia Popular program, let us clarify the procedure for obtaining the medications.
Step 1: Medical consultation
First, schedule a medical consultation at a healthcare facility. The doctor will assess your clinical condition, request tests, and, if necessary, prescribe the correct medications.
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Step 2: Medical prescription
Afterward, make sure that the prescription is still valid when going to the pharmacy. The Farmácia Popular program accepts prescriptions valid for up to 180 days. Only contraceptives have a longer validity period: one year.
Step 3: Required documentation
Organize the necessary documentation: along with the prescription, you need to bring a photo ID and your CPF.
To purchase adult diapers at a discount, you must also present a prescription, medical report, or medical certificate indicating the need to use diapers. If the patient is a person with a disability, the corresponding International Classification of Diseases (ICD) code must be included.
Step 4: Locate a Farmácia Popular
Once all the documents are ready, find the nearest Farmácia Popular. To do so, click here or contact Disque Saúde (136) for information about accredited establishments in your area.
Step 5: Get the medication free of charge
Finally, go to the selected pharmacy with the medical prescription and the necessary documentation. There, request the Farmácia Popular benefit, whether the medication is free or discounted. The system will automatically identify Bolsa Família beneficiaries, without the need for prior registration.
For patients who, for health reasons, cannot go to the establishment, a legal representative or attorney-in-fact may collect the medications. In this case, they must go to an accredited establishment and present the following documents: medical prescription, document
