Objective:

To identify the profile of access and use of medicines of the Sole Health System´s users.

Methods:

A descriptive and cross-sectional study in Balneario Piçarras municipality, Santa Catarina State, in southern Brazil. 936 people were randomly selected from the records of the Sole Health System´s Basic Care System, whom were interviewed at home.

Results:

Out of those interviewed, 60.1% reported having used medications in the last 15 days. There was a greater probability of drugs using in women, people over 40 years old and pensioners (p< 0.05). Out of the 1 393 drugs used, 16.4% were used in a self-medicated way, mostly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 98.8% of the medicines belonged to the Municipal List of Essential Medications, which are prescribed by physicians of the System and that were obtained by the users in the Basic Health Units. The average number of drugs per person was 2.5. The 104 drug users had 118 drug interactions (an average of 1.7 interactions per user), and the risk of interaction increased with the number of drugs used.

Conclusions:

There is good coverage and access to drugs in the Sole Health System, but it is still necessary to strengthen strategies that promote their adequate use. There is a need for greater participation of pharmaceutical professionals in health services.

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