DUTIES OF PHARMACISTS IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS WITH TUBERCULOSIS: DOCUMENTAL ANALYSIS OF REPORTED CASES IN THE EXTREME SOUTH OF BAIANO FROM 2019 TO 2022

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease that mainly affects the lungs, and which usually requires prolonged treatment and monitoring by a qualified specialist. In this aspect, the pharmacist is a healthcare professional who is qualified to monitor and guide the patient, in order to minimize side effects and reduce treatment abandonment rates. In the context of assistance and health care, the question is: How can the pharmaceutical professional contribute to the treatment of patients suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis? Therefore, the general objective of this study is to list the responsibilities of the pharmacist in the care of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The specific objectives are: to identify the pattern of occurrence of active cases of pulmonary tuberculosis in the cities of Itamaraju, Teixeira de Freitas and Prado (extreme south of Bahia) between 2019 and 2022; relate cases of pulmonary tuberculosis to other pathologies; list adherence to diagnosis and monitoring strategies used in TB patients. The present study adopted a basic methodology, of a documentary procedure, with a quantitative-qualitative approach. Qualitative data were obtained by analyzing theoretical references through consultation of reference books and articles published in magazines, and quantitative data were obtained from documents from the DataSUS® System, to meet the exploratory objectives. The results showed a higher rate of TB contamination in men, and that there was a subtle decrease in the number of cases of the disease in 2020, during the pandemic period, without significant variation in relation to the other years under study in those cities. Deaths from other associated diseases were also higher in 2021 and 2020 (11 and 6 cases, respectively). The treatment abandonment rate increased and doubled (from 8 to 16 cases), considering the period from 2019 to 2022, as well as cure rates for the disease reduced over the years (110 cases to 90). These results are directly associated with the low rate of Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) provided to patients, of only 14%, with 38.24% of cases listed in the DataSUS® System not receiving assistance from DOT. The pharmacist can be an important tool in improving the quality of life and adherence to therapy for patients with tuberculosis, acting in dispensing and providing guidance on the use of medications, carrying out laboratory tests, therapeutic monitoring and reporting cases. Additionally, it can collaborate with educational and health promotion actions, aiming to prevent and control the disease in the local scenario.