Judicialização da saúde: perfil das demandas judiciais por medicamentos em Montes Claros – Minas Gerais

Abstract

The judicialization of healthcare in Brazil reflects the impact of legal claims for access to medications, serving as a mechanism to ensure the constitutional right to health. This study aims to describe the profile of judicial demands for medications in the city of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais. This descriptive and quantitative research analyzed 213 legal cases from 2019, revealing a balance between the sexes of patients and a prevalence of elderly individuals. Most prescriptions (77.5%) originated from the public healthcare system and were directed towards chronic diseases, such as those affecting the circulatory (23.9%), endocrine (16.1%), and nervous systems (14.2%). Among the prescribed medications, 65.9% were brand-name drugs, with a total expenditure of R$ 1,260,240.66, mainly concentrated on antineoplastic medications (47.7%). The Public Defender’s Office handled 85.4% of the claims, highlighting its crucial role in providing access to justice. The findings suggest that these demands underscore the need for more effective public policies in resource management, aiming to balance equitable access to medications with the financial sustainability of the local healthcare system.