Many of the most common ongoing medications, those for blood pressure, diabetes and asthma, can be collected for free in Brazil, and not only at public clinics: also at accredited private pharmacies near your home. It is the Farmácia Popular program, and many people pay every month for what they could have at no cost. This guide explains what is free and how to collect it.
What is free
The program provides, free of charge, medication for the most frequent chronic conditions, including:
- Hypertension: losartan, atenolol, captopril, enalapril, hydrochlorothiazide, among others;
- Diabetes: metformin, glibenclamide and insulins (regular and NPH);
- Asthma: salbutamol, ipratropium bromide and beclomethasone;
- Others: simvastatin (cholesterol), contraceptives, alendronate (osteoporosis) and geriatric diapers for those over 60 or people with disabilities.
Where to collect: “Aqui Tem Farmácia Popular”
Besides public units, thousands of private pharmacies are accredited and display the “Aqui Tem Farmácia Popular” seal. You collect the free medicine right there, in your neighborhood, without going to a public clinic. Look for the seal or check your city’s list of accredited pharmacies.
What to bring
- A photo ID with your CPF (Brazilian taxpayer number);
- a valid prescription (generally up to 180 days for chronic conditions), which can be from the SUS or from a private doctor, both are accepted;
- if someone collects on your behalf, they must bring the required documents.
The Farmácia Popular covers the most common medicines; high-cost drugs follow another route, and all of it is part of our practical series on how to use the SUS.
About the author
Ramon Martins Andrade (OAB/RJ 188.374) is a lawyer graduated from UFRJ in 2011, holding master’s degrees from the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle and from the Brazilian Naval War College (EGN). He is currently a researcher in Human Rights and Health at ENSP/Fiocruz, where the concept of sanitary return emerged from his research in study groups on the Brazilian diaspora and access to healthcare.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice, advertising of results, or any guarantee of outcome, under Rule (Provimento) 205/2021 of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB).