Where did Brazilians get their diabetes drugs during the COVID-19 pandemic? DIABETESvid results

Access to diabetes medications is critical to disease control. However, social distancing in the COVID-19 pandemic may have limited the provision of medicines and supplies. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the sources of obtaining diabetes drugs in the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. The data came from the DIABETESvid survey, and this analysis considered a convenience sample of 1608 participants who responded to the questionnaire published on social media of scientific societies related to diabetes. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted in the form of a web survey, from September 1 to October 19, 2020. The outcome analyzed was the sources for obtaining diabetes drugs categorized in pharmacies of the "Sistema & Uacute;nico de Sa & uacute;de", pharmacies of the "Aqui tem Farm & aacute;cia Popular" program, as well as private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources. Most participants self -reported a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (49.8%), used insulin (61.9%), and had a private health plan (68.7%). Private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources were the main places where medicines for diabetes were supplied (47.5%). Participants residing in the Midwest region of the country had a lower frequency of supply in pharmacies in the "Aqui tem Farm & aacute;cia Popular" program (0.57; 95%CI 0.36-0.92). In the studied sample, there was a higher frequency of supply of diabetes drugs in private pharmacies and drugstores and other sources with a reduction in frequency in public pharmacies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil.