[Situation of lawsuits concerning the access to medical products by the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, Brazil, during the years 2003 and 2004].

This study describes the situation of lawsuits concerning the access to medical products by the Health Department of Santa Catarina State (SES/SC), Brazil, during the years of 2003 and 2004. The variables considered were: declared illnesses, medicines demanded, prescription origin, possible alternatives therapeutics in the Santa Catarina State Register of Essential Medicines (Resme), the medicines registration at the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) and total expenditure. 622 lawsuits were filed. Total expenditure was R$ 11,333,750,00 (Brazilian Reais). Private health care was the source of 56% of the prescriptions. Hepatitis C and rheumatoid arthritis were the most commonly diseases involved. About 40% of requested drugs were on the Resme. 6.2% of required drugs were approved in Brazil after 2000. PEG-Interferon and Infliximab were responsible for 46% of total expenditure. There were still some cases of drugs or indications not registered at Anvisa. These results indicate the need to reassess the list of medicines regularly provided by the SES/SC, and also to improve accessibility to (and information concerning) Programs of medicines distribution. These measures may potentially reduce the number of lawsuits filed against the State.