Access and accessibility of psychotropic drugs during COVID-19 pandemic in Santa Fe city: perspective of users and health care personnel

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In the context of pandemic and social isolation, access and continuity of treatment are essential. In view of the decrease in the consumption of psychotropic drugs between the first half of 2019 and the same period of 2020 in the public health care sub-sector in Santa Fe city (SFC), the objective of this study was to survey access to psychotropic drugs and describe factors that affected the accessibility of users of the first level of health care service in SFC. METHODS: A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted for the period January-June 2020. Prescriptions dispensed at 49 health centers (HC) containing psychotropic drugs of ATC classification group N05A, N05B, N06A (excluding pain management) and N03A (excluding anticonvulsant use) were analyzed. On the other hand, perceived barriers to accessibility to psychotropic drugs were assessed among users, people responsible for dispensing drugs in HC and pharmacists. RESULTS: There was discontinuity in 2223 dispensed prescriptions out of 18992 analyzed (greatest discontinuity in April and May 2020). Both users and health care personnel perceived as barriers to accessibility the physical availability of the drug in HC. At the same time, users were satisfied with the care received. DISCUSSION: The discontinuity in the dispensed prescriptions increased due to lockdown. A structural problem of physical availability was perceived, which worsened with the pandemic.