Oportunidades na indústria de medicamentos e a lógica do desenvolvimento local baseado nos biomas brasileiros: bases para a discussão de uma política nacional

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To characterize the integration of phytotherapy in primary health care in Brazil.METHODS Journal articles and theses and dissertations were searched for in the following databases: SciELO, Lilacs, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Theses Portal Capes, between January 1988 and March 2013. We analyzed 53 original studies on actions, programs, acceptance and use of phytotherapy and medicinal plants in the Brazilian Unified Health System. Bibliometric data, characteristics of the actions/programs, places and subjects involved and type and focus of the selected studies were analyzed.RESULTS Between 2003 and 2013, there was an increase in publications in different areas of knowledge, compared with the 1990-2002 period. The objectives and actions of programs involving the integration of phytotherapy into primary health care varied: including other treatment options, reduce costs, reviving traditional knowledge, preserving biodiversity, promoting social development and stimulating inter-sectorial actions.CONCLUSIONS Over the past 25 years, there was a small increase in scientific production on actions/programs developed in primary care. Including phytotherapy in primary care services encourages interaction between health care users and professionals. It also contributes to the socialization of scientific research and the development of a critical vision about the use of phytotherapy and plant medicine, not only on the part of professionals but also of the population.

Phytotherapy in primary health care

“…This could also be linked to the low level of government and scientific support in instigating dedicated research in the field. Given the significant potential of the field and associated knowledge and technology, 46 it may be argued that there has been some wastage during the trials within primary care services, in expansion via the Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF -Family Health Strategy).…”

“…46 Additionally, the fact that most journals published on the topic have been given the lowest quality rating (Qualis) for Collective Health may indicate that the subject is underappreciated, or not prioritized in the editorial lines of scientific journals in the area of collective health. 20,46 The scientific relevance of developing research into phytotherapeutic programs in Brazil is linked to the importance of building knowledge in an area that is still underdeveloped, with few researchers in Brazil or in collective health.…”

“…46 Additionally, the fact that most journals published on the topic have been given the lowest quality rating (Qualis) for Collective Health may indicate that the subject is underappreciated, or not prioritized in the editorial lines of scientific journals in the area of collective health. 20,46 The scientific relevance of developing research into phytotherapeutic programs in Brazil is linked to the importance of building knowledge in an area that is still underdeveloped, with few researchers in Brazil or in collective health. Moreover, the integration of phytotherapeutic and medicinal plant use could improve access to other therapeutic care options, and promote liaison and dialogue between different skills areas, values and practices that, though not scientifically or administratively regulated by the market, are still found in communities and are therefore 'important for the promotion of health and institutional and autonomous care.…”

Medicinal Plants in Pregnancy and Lactation: Perception of the Health Risk and Practical Educational Group in Araraquara, São Paulo State, Brazil

“…The rational use of medicinal plants, demand educational approaches that enhance the creation of spaces that encourage appreciation of knowledge, prudence and the review, by health professionals, community leaders and users [55]. Health promotion through actions related to the rational use of medicinal plants, involves the rescue of cultural values, while stimulating intersectoral actions, encouraging the link between the health team and the community, between professionals and users, encouraging autonomic care awareness, promoting local development, intersectoral and community participation [56,57]. Therefore, lay knowledge, popular and traditional can be seen as an opportunity to approach the health professional with the user [56,57].…”

The Use of Herbal Medicine in a Rural Community in Vitória Da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil: An Indication for Pharmacological Studies

“…Considering the actual worldwide popular use of medicinal plants, the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS, Brazilian Health System), via the Brazilian Ministry of Health, has introduced the National Policy on Integrative and Complementary Practices and the National Policy on Medicinal Plants in 2006 [13,15] medicinal plants via physicians of SUS has not only raised their consume in health care but has also helped to educate about possible dangers of their indiscriminate use. As prescription of local herbal medicines by qualified professionals and accurate information have increased and this will help to prevent medical application of unsafe and ineffective plants [16,17]. Different tools to quantify ethno botanical data are applied in complementing studies of plant usage in folk medicine.…”