Profile of users of drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B available through the Brazilian Public Health System

Treatment for chronic hepatitis B in Brazil are funded by the Ministry of Health and by the state Departments of Health. Clinical protocol and therapeutic guidelines approve the use of adefovir, entecavir, interferon-α, lamivudine, and tenofovir for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The aim of this study was to establish the profile of users of these drugs in the state of Paraná. A cross-sectional study was conducted with patients under treatment in Paraná in August 2011. The following data were obtained: gender, hepatitis B used drug, International Classification of Diseases, and regional health unit. The monthly cost of these drugs for the public health system was also calculated. 1,093 patients registered were found, 70% male, and 2.6% co-infected with the delta agent. Tenofovir was the drug most commonly used (355 users). The highest prevalence was found in the regional health units of Pato Branco, Cascavel, Foz do Iguaçú, Francisco Beltrão, Toledo, Londrina, and Maringá. The annual cost for the public health system in Paraná was U$1,066,867. Through this study it was possible to investigate the distribution and profile of users of drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B in Paraná in August 2011.