Judicialização de medicamentos oncológicos adquiridos pelo Rio Grande do Norte: análise do impacto financeiro no quadriênio 2019-2022

Abstract

The judicial demands related to oncology drugs have significant impacts on the financial resources of public management, given the complexity in treating these diseases, resulting in substantial costs associated with these medications. In this context, the work consists of a descriptive and cross-sectional study covering the period from 2019 to 2022, focusing on the analysis of data related to dispensing oncology drugs acquired to meet judicial demands. Based on the dispensing report from the Nucleus of Judicial Demands (NDJ) obtained through the Horus System and provided by the Central Unit of Therapeutic Agents (UNICAT), medications were selected based on the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) System. Variables such as types of medications, quantity of dispensations, dispensed units, predominant therapeutic groups, main demands, and the financial impact on the state's public accounts were considered. The results reveal an increase in the diversity of demanded oncology drugs over the years, accompanied by growth in quantitative variables and values allocated to acquiring these medications. Despite oncology drugs representing less than 20% of all judicial dispensations in the quadrennium, they exert a significant influence, accounting for about 60% of financial expenditures in acquisitions to meet judicial demands. The results allow for a broader discussion on judicialization in the health sector, emphasizing the importance of dedicating specific attention to the impact of demands involving oncology drugs on the healthcare system.