Erros de prescrição de medicamentos: um estudo na atenção primária à saúde.

Abstract

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the first point of contact for users in the Unified Health System (SUS) and accounts for 85% of health demands. Errors in prescriptions at this level can increase users' exposure to adverse effects related to medication and raise public expenditures. A proper prescription is essential for Rational Use of Medicines and for the recovery and promotion of patients' health. The main objective of this study was to identify the prevalence of medication prescription errors in PHC, as well as describe the sociodemographic characteristics of Basic Pharmacy users and characterize the factors associated with these errors. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, conducted at the Basic Pharmacy of Cuité, PB, from January to February 2023, based on prescriptions from Primary Care. Descriptive statistics were performed, and an association was considered significant for p <0.05. A total of 377 prescriptions were analyzed, revealing that 77.5% of the participants were female, and 32.1% had completed elementary education. The prescriptions were mainly handwritten (71.4%), and 55.7% were on common prescription pads. It was considered difficult to understand in 24.7% of cases, with 6.6% showing erasures. It was identified that 49.9% lacked at least one piece of medication information required by legislation, mainly the treatment duration (48.0%). Handwritten prescriptions (PR 4.77; CI 2.88 – 7.91), prescriptions subject to special control (PR 2.73; CI 1.79 – 4.13), medical professionals (PR 22.46; CI 7.97 – 63.29), and prescriptions that were difficult to understand (PR 6.30; CI 3.58 – 11.11) showed a statistically significant association with the absence of medication information. The results indicate a fragility in medication prescription within PHC, highlighting the importance of computerization for patient safety, as well as the need for Continuous Education and interventions with prescribers.