Knowledge and use of the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program: a population-based study in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil

Objective: to analyze the prevalence of knowledge and use of the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program (PFPB) in Campinas/SP, 2008. Methods: cross-sectional population-based study using probability sampling of individuals aged 20 or over. Results: of the 2,461 respondents, 32.8% (95% CI: 27.5; 38.1) had knowledge of PFPB, and 11.0% (95% CI: 8.2; 14.7) of these had used Program medication. Knowledge of PFPB was significantly higher in women (43.2%), persons aged 60-69 years (47.6%), those with family income above 4 minimum wages, having 5 or more years of schooling, and taking 4 or more kinds of medication (47.6%). PFPB use was greater among women (37.4%), individuals over 70 (53.4%), and among those who did not have health insurance (38.5%). Conclusion: similar studies can be used to monitor Pharmaceutical and PFPB policies, aiming to promote better management of local actions.