Patients with rare, chronic and kidney diseases returned to the center of the debate in the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro (Alerj) this Thursday (28), after deputies denounced failures in the supply of medicines by Rio Farmes, a unit of the State Health Secretariat responsible for the free distribution of high-cost medicines by the SUS.
During the session, parliamentarians reported cases of patients without medication, difficulties in accessing treatment, and desperate situations faced by residents in the interior of the state. According to Élika Takimoto (PT), the situation in Campos dos Goytacazes, in the North Fluminense region, is worrying, especially for kidney patients assisted by an association called Amigos do Rim (Friends of the Kidney).
Patients, she says, face difficulties accessing outpatient care and essential medications provided by Rio Farmes. "There isn't enough outpatient care and there's also a shortage of medications at Rio Farmes," she lamented.
Patients in despair
During her speech, Élika Takimoto reported that patients are being referred to neighboring municipalities in search of treatment, often without the financial means to cover travel expenses or maintain their treatment routine.
The legislator also highlighted that the lack of medication has worsened the situation for people with kidney disease and even compromised the mental health of patients.
"Kidney patients are in utter despair. Sometimes, these patients are referred to neighboring municipalities, and many don't even have money for transportation, or they are using precarious transport, or they have to miss work and are even subject to treatment interruptions," he stated.
The congresswoman also said that she sent a formal letter to Rio Farmes, but has not yet received a response. According to her, a fully equipped outpatient clinic is already ready in the region through a partnership between the municipality and the state.
Billing the government
Representative Tia Ju (Republicanos), who was presiding over the session, stated that she had already officially notified the state government due to the large number of requests received in her office related to the Farmes River.
According to the congresswoman, patients with rare and chronic diseases continue to face difficulties in obtaining essential medications for the continuation of their treatments.
"There are numerous requests from people with rare and chronic diseases who are without medication that arrive at the office, diseases whose treatment cannot be interrupted, because interruption leads to death," he stated.
Aunt Ju acknowledged improvements in the unit's in-person service system following changes to queue organization, but stated that the problem of medication shortages persists. "Some people are desperate because they haven't been able to use their medication for over a month," she added.
The problem had already been mentioned.
This is not the first time that members of the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj) have complained about the situation at the Farmes River. Last week, during the voting on a bill related to access to medication for the elderly.Members of parliament had already pointed out flaws in the unit's operation and difficulties faced by patients in obtaining care and picking up medication.
Secretariat details situation regarding medications.
In a statement, the State Health Department (SES-RJ) reported that, among the medications intended for the treatment of these comorbidities, only three have compromised supply.
According to the department, only one of them is the direct responsibility of the state government, while the other two are acquired and distributed by the Ministry of Health.
The department added that the head of the ministry, Ronaldo Damião, has already held meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Health to discuss alternatives and seek solutions that will allow for the regularization of the supply of the missing medications.
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