Percepção dos atendentes sobre o uso de medicamentos e a prática diária em farmácias comunitárias da região do Seridó - RN.

Abstract

The assistant pharmacist plays an important role in community pharmacy, direct influence on the consumption habits of medicine. This study aims to evaluate the perception of the daily practice of medicine and pharmacy assistants in Seridó-RN. We performed an exploratory, descriptive study, quantitative and cross. 33 assistants were interviewed in a total of 16 community pharmacies in the region (period: February to March 2012). The sample consists of young people, with more than ten years of experience and finish high school. 81% consider their knowledge of pharmacotherapy enough, which was learned in daily practice (66%). 63% said they had participated in some training in the area. Regarding the perception of drugs, it was observed that 93% believes it is important to read the bula and have misconceptions about the concept of generics. In everyday practice, there is excessive indicated drugs (72%), as concerns the mode of use. Moreover, the assistants are difficulties in the interpretation of limitation. It is concluded that the auxiliary has good training, but requires more specific knowledge of the pharmaceutical sciences, given its poor perception about some aspects of drug use. It is suggested to regulate the profession of pharmacy assistants in order to improve the perception and knowledge of these professionals.