Denied integral care, neglected treatment: the stigma of mental illness in the Popular Pharmacy Program of Brazil
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25118/2763-9037.2025.v15.1427Keywords:
mental illness, stigma, psychotropic drugs, health policy, public health programs, popular pharmacyAbstract
This paper discusses the absence of psychotropic medications in the Brazilian Popular Pharmacy Program (PFPB), a initiative for access to essential medicines. Despite its long-standing presence and significant impact, the program still does not include psychiatric medications in its list, reflecting a structural stigma against mental illness in Brazilian public policies. The text examines the consequences of this exclusion for psychiatric patients, who face not only social marginalization but also barriers to accessing adequate treatment. The lack of access to essential psychotropic drugs compromises these patients' clinical stability, leading to increased hospitalizations, reduced life expectancy, and preventable fatal outcomes. Furthermore, the expansion of the PFPB’s list in 2025, with the addition of 41 new items, underscores the continued exclusion of mental health care. This paper thus highlights the urgent need for more inclusive policies, recognizing psychotropic medications as an essential component of comprehensive psychiatric care.
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