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Os pacientes com síndrome pós-COVID-19 se beneficiam de programas de promoção de saúde e sua rápida identificação é importante para a utilização custo efetiva desses programas. Técnicas tradicionais de identificação têm fraco desempenho, especialmente em pandemias. Portanto, foi realizado um estudo observacional descritivo utilizando 105.008 autorizações prévias pagas por operadora privada de saúde com aplicação de método não supervisionado de processamento de linguagem natural por modelagem de tópicos para identificação de pacientes suspeitos de infecção por COVID-19. Foram gerados seis modelos: três utilizando o algoritmo BERTopic e três modelos Word2Vec. O modelo BERTopic cria automaticamente grupos de doenças. Já no modelo Word2Vec, para definição dos tópicos relacionados a COVID-19, foi necessária análise manual dos 100 primeiros casos de cada tópico. O modelo BERTopic com mais de 1.000 autorizações por tópico sem tratamento de palavras selecionou pacientes mais graves - custo médio por autorizações prévias pagas de BRL 10.206 e gasto total de BRL 20,3 milhões (5,4%) em 1.987 autorizações prévias (1,9%). Teve 70% de acerto comparado à análise humana e 20% de casos com potencial interesse, todos passíveis de análise para inclusão em programa de promoção à saúde. Teve perda importante de casos quando comparado ao modelo tradicional de pesquisa com linguagem estruturada e identificou outros grupos de doenças - ortopédicas, mentais e câncer. O modelo BERTopic serviu como método exploratório a ser utilizado na rotulagem de casos e posterior aplicação em modelos supervisionados. A identificação automática de outras doenças levanta questionamentos éticos sobre o tratamento de informações em saúde por aprendizado de máquina.

Los pacientes con síndrome pos-COVID-19 pueden beneficiarse de los programas de promoción de la salud. Su rápida identificación es importante para el uso efectivo de estos programas. Las técnicas de identificación tradicionales no tienen un buen desempeño, especialmente en pandemias. Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo, con el uso de 105.008 autorizaciones previas pagadas por un operador de salud privado mediante la aplicación de un método no supervisado de procesamiento del lenguaje natural mediante modelado temático para identificar a los pacientes sospechosos de estar infectados por COVID-19. Se generaron 6 modelos: 3 con el uso del algoritmo BERTopic y 3 modelos Word2Vec. El modelo BERTopic crea automáticamente grupos de enfermedades. En el modelo Word2Vec para definir temas relacionados con la COVID-19, fue necesario el análisis manual de los primeros 100 casos de cada tema. El modelo BERTopic con más de 1.000 autorizaciones por tema sin tratamiento de palabras seleccionó a pacientes más graves: costo promedio por autorizaciones previas pagada de BRL 10.206 y gasto total de BRL 20,3 millones (5,4%) en 1.987 autorizaciones previas (1,9%). Además, contó con el 70% de aciertos en comparación con el análisis humano y el 20% de los casos con potencial interés, todos los cuales pueden analizarse para su inclusión en un programa de promoción de la salud. Hubo una pérdida significativa de casos en comparación con el modelo tradicional de investigación con lenguaje estructurado y se identificó otros grupos de enfermedades: ortopédicas, mentales y cáncer. El modelo BERTopic sirvió como un método exploratorio para ser utilizado en el etiquetado de casos y su posterior aplicación en modelos supervisados. La identificación automática de otras enfermedades plantea preguntas éticas sobre el tratamiento de la información de salud mediante el aprendizaje de máquina.

Patients with post-COVID-19 syndrome benefit from health promotion programs. Their rapid identification is important for the cost-effective use of these programs. Traditional identification techniques perform poorly especially in pandemics. A descriptive observational study was carried out using 105,008 prior authorizations paid by a private health care provider with the application of an unsupervised natural language processing method by topic modeling to identify patients suspected of being infected by COVID-19. A total of 6 models were generated: 3 using the BERTopic algorithm and 3 Word2Vec models. The BERTopic model automatically creates disease groups. In the Word2Vec model, manual analysis of the first 100 cases of each topic was necessary to define the topics related to COVID-19. The BERTopic model with more than 1,000 authorizations per topic without word treatment selected more severe patients - average cost per prior authorizations paid of BRL 10,206 and total expenditure of BRL 20.3 million (5.4%) in 1,987 prior authorizations (1.9%). It had 70% accuracy compared to human analysis and 20% of cases with potential interest, all subject to analysis for inclusion in a health promotion program. It had an important loss of cases when compared to the traditional research model with structured language and identified other groups of diseases - orthopedic, mental and cancer. The BERTopic model served as an exploratory method to be used in case labeling and subsequent application in supervised models. The automatic identification of other diseases raises ethical questions about the treatment of health information by machine learning.

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O estudo descreve o histórico da legislação, analisa a trajetória e dimensiona o capital estrangeiro no sistema de saúde no Brasil. A Lei Orgânica da Saúde restringiu a participação do capital estrangeiro, legislações setoriais permitiram o posterior ingresso na assistência médica suplementar e, em 2015, uma nova lei promoveu a abertura irrestrita, inclusive em hospitais e serviços de saúde. O estudo analisou documentos, legislação e dados de bases secundárias públicas ou obtidos via Lei de Acesso à Informação. Foram considerados investimentos diretos e atos de fusões e aquisições no setor privado da saúde. Foram identificadas cinco fases: ordenamento inaugural, expansão regulada, restrição legal, liberação setorizada e abertura ampliada. De 2016 a 2020, ingressaram no país quase dez vezes mais recursos estrangeiros em serviços de saúde que no quinquênio anterior. Foram identificadas 13 empresas ou fundos, a maioria originária dos Estados Unidos. Normas que permitiram a abertura do capital estrangeiro foram antecedidas por lobbies empresariais e interações público-privadas que podem afetar a qualidade das políticas públicas e a integridade do processo legislativo. O capital aportado busca empresas já constituídas e mais rentáveis, em diversos segmentos de atividade. O ingresso ocorre em redes assistenciais privadas não universais, que atendem clientelas específicas, concentradas geograficamente. Conclui-se que o capital estrangeiro, elemento do processo de financeirização da saúde, se expressa como possível vetor da ampliação de desigualdades de acesso da população aos serviços de saúde e como um obstáculo adicional à consolidação do Sistema Único de Saúde.

The study describes the history of legislation, analyzes the trajectory and the amount of foreign capital in the Brazilian health system. The Organic Health Law restricted the participation of foreign capital; sectoral legislation, however, allowed its subsequent entry into supplementary medical care and, in 2015, a new law promoted unrestricted openness, including in hospitals and healthcare services. Our study analyzes documents, legislation, and data obtained from secondary public bases or via the Law on Access to Information. Direct investments and merger and acquisition acts in the private health sector were considered. Five phases were identified: inaugural planning, regulated expansion, legal restriction, sectorized release, and expanded opening. From 2016 to 2020, the amount of foreign resources entering the country's healthcare services was almost ten times more than the previous five-year period. Thirteen companies or funds were identified, most of them from the United States. Regulation allowing for the opening of foreign capital were preceded by business lobbies and public-private interactions that can affect the quality of public policies and the integrity of the legislative process. The invested capital seeks established and profitable companies in various segments of activity. Admission occurs in non-universal private care networks, which serve specific, geographically concentrated clientele. We conclude that foreign capital, an element of health financialization process, is expressed as a possible vector of the expansion of inequalities in the population's access to health services and as an additional obstacle to the consolidation of the Brazilian Unified National Health System.

Este estudio describe la historia de la legislación, analiza la trayectoria y dimensiona el capital extranjero en el sistema de salud en Brasil. La Ley Orgánica de Salud restringió la participación de capital extranjero, las legislaciones sectoriales permitieron el posterior ingreso a la asistencia médica complementaria y, en el 2015, una nueva ley promovió la apertura sin restricciones, incluso en hospitales y servicios de salud. El estudio analizó documentos, legislación y datos de bases públicas secundarias u obtenidos por medio de la Ley de Acceso a la Información. Se consideraron inversiones directas y actos de fusiones y adquisiciones en el sector privado de la salud. Se identificaron cinco etapas: ordenamiento inaugural, expansión regulada, restricción legal, liberación sectorizada y apertura ampliada. Del 2016 al 2020 ingresaron al país casi diez veces más recursos extranjeros en servicios de salud que en el quinquenio anterior. Se identificaron 13 empresas o fondos, la mayoría con origen en los EE.UU. Las reglas que permitieron la apertura al capital extranjero fueron precedidas por cabildeos empresariales e interacciones público-privadas que pueden afectar la calidad de las políticas públicas y la integridad del proceso legislativo. El capital aportado busca empresas ya consolidadas y más rentables, en diversos segmentos de actividad. El ingreso se da en redes asistenciales privadas no universales, que atienden a una clientela específica y geográficamente concentrada. Se concluye que el capital extranjero, elemento del proceso de financiarización de la salud, se expresa como un posible vector de la ampliación de desigualdades en el acceso de la población a los servicios de salud y como un obstáculo adicional para la consolidación del Sistema Único de Salud.

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Abstract Introduction: Accreditation is an external, systematic, periodic, and voluntary evaluation process to which health care institutions submit themselves in order to demonstrate compliance with superior levels of quality of care. The Icontec, through an evaluative model, accredits the quality of health institutions in Colombia. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study following the recommendations of the survey study report. Using an electronic format, 22 health institutions with experience in the Icontec accreditation process were surveyed. The instrument evaluated three thematic axes of the process: added value provided by the accreditation process, evaluation process and final report. The measurement was carried out using a Likert-type scale and a descriptive statistical analysis to establish the perception of the phases of the process. Results: the items with the best perception were the humanization of care (86.4%) followed by patient safety and teamwork (81.8%). After accreditation, the quality of the processes improved (77.4%), infection prevention and control (68.1%) and physician commitment (63.6%). 54.6% felt that evaluators use different methods of evaluation. 63.6% of the respondents considered that Icontec does not comply with the times defined for the delivery of the report. Conclusion: the Icontec accreditation system adds value to health institutions in most of the thematic areas evaluated, especially in the humanization of care and patient safety. The lowest perception is presented in the increase of physicians' commitment.

Resumen Introducción: la acreditación es un proceso de evaluación externo, sistemático, periódico y voluntario al que se someten instituciones de salud para demostrar el cumplimiento de niveles superiores de calidad en la atención. El Icontec, Instituto colombiano de normas técnicas, es la organización colombiana no gubernamental designada por el Ministerio de Salud para ser la entidad que acredita la calidad de las instituciones de salud en Colombia. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la percepción del valor que agrega la acreditación a la calidad de la atención en clínicas y hospitales en Colombia. Métodos: estudio transversal observacional. Se encuestaron 22 profesionales con experiencia en el proceso de acreditación Icontec. El instrumento evaluó tres ejes temáticos del proceso: valor agregado que aporta el proceso de acreditación, proceso de evaluación e informe final. La percepción de las fases del proceso fue medida a través de una escala tipo Likert y un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: los ítems con mejor percepción fueron la humanización de la atención (86.4%), la seguridad de los pacientes y el trabajo en equipo (81.8%). Laacreditación mejora la calidad de los procesos (77.4%), la prevención y el control de infecciones (68.1%) y el compromiso de los médicos (63.6%). El 54.6% consideró que los evaluadores utilizan métodos diferentes de evaluación. Conclusión: el sistema de acreditación Icontec en Colombia, agrega valor a las instituciones de salud en la mayoría de los ejes temáticos evaluados. La percepción más baja se presenta en el incremento de compromiso de los médicos.

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Introduction: Accreditation is an external, systematic, periodic, and voluntary evaluation process to which health care institutions submit themselves in order to demonstrate compliance with superior levels of quality of care. The Icontec, through an evaluative model, accredits the quality of health institutions in Colombia. Methods: Descriptive cross-sectional study following the recommendations of the survey study report. Using an electronic format, 22 health institutions with experience in the Icontec accreditation process were surveyed. The instrument evaluated three thematic axes of the process: added value provided by the accreditation process, evaluation process and final report. The measurement was carried out using a Likert-type scale and a descriptive statistical analysis to establish the perception of the phases of the process. Results: the items with the best perception were the humanization of care (86.4%) followed by patient safety and teamwork (81.8%). After accreditation, the quality of the processes improved (77.4%), infection prevention and control (68.1%) and physician commitment (63.6%). 54.6% felt that evaluators use different methods of evaluation. 63.6% of the respondents considered that Icontec does not comply with the times defined for the delivery of the report. Conclusion: the Icontec accreditation system adds value to health institutions in most of the thematic areas evaluated, especially in the humanization of care and patient safety. The lowest perception is presented in the increase of physicians' commitment.

Introducción: la acreditación es un proceso de evaluación externo, sistemático, periódico y voluntario al que se someten instituciones de salud para demostrar el cumplimiento de niveles superiores de calidad en la atención. El Icontec, Instituto colombiano de normas técnicas, es la organización colombiana no gubernamental designada por el Ministerio de Salud para ser la entidad que acredita la calidad de las instituciones de salud en Colombia. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la percepción del valor que agrega la acreditación a la calidad de la atención en clínicas y hospitales en Colombia. Métodos: estudio transversal observacional. Se encuestaron 22 profesionales con experiencia en el proceso de acreditación Icontec. El instrumento evaluó tres ejes temáticos del proceso: valor agregado que aporta el proceso de acreditación, proceso de evaluación e informe final. La percepción de las fases del proceso fue medida a través de una escala tipo Likert y un análisis estadístico descriptivo. Resultados: los ítems con mejor percepción fueron la humanización de la atención (86.4%), la seguridad de los pacientes y el trabajo en equipo (81.8%). Laacreditación mejora la calidad de los procesos (77.4%), la prevención y el control de infecciones (68.1%) y el compromiso de los médicos (63.6%). El 54.6% consideró que los evaluadores utilizan métodos diferentes de evaluación. El 63.6% de los encuestados consideró que Icontec no cumple con los tiempos definidos para la entrega del informe. Conclusión: el sistema de acreditación Icontec en Colombia, agrega valor a las instituciones de salud en la mayoría de los ejes temáticos evaluados. La percepción más baja se presenta en el incremento de compromiso de los médicos.

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RESUMO O conflito fundamental da saúde em sociedades capitalistas - direito social versus mercadoria - também se expressa no interior do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS). Este trabalho analisou a relação público-privado na oferta de serviços ambulatoriais especializados pelo SUS no estado do Paraná, no período de 1995 a 2015, em comparação com a realidade nacional. Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, com procedimentos selecionados, a partir da coleta de dados no Sistema de Informações Ambulatoriais (SIA), por meio da plataforma do Datasus Tabnet On-line nos anos de 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 e 2015. Os resultados demonstram que a atenção ambulatorial especializada, secundária e terciária, sofreu ampliação nas duas décadas, acompanhando a expansão do SUS. O percentual de participação privada é, em geral, minoritária nos serviços de média complexidade e majoritária nos de alta complexidade, sendo que, no Paraná, o grau de privatização é consideravelmente maior que no âmbito nacional. Assim, diferentemente do preconizado constitucionalmente, em vários serviços e áreas do SUS, o público é que assume o papel de complementar ao privado. Discutem-se os possíveis impactos da privatização interna do SUS sobre seus limites em se constituir como sistema universal, integral e igualitário.

ABSTRACT The fundamental conflict of health in capitalist societies – social right versus commodity – is also expressed within the Unified Health System (SUS). This research analyzed the public-private relationship in the provision of specialized outpatient services by the SUS in the state of Paraná, from 1995 to 2015, in comparison with the national reality. A descriptive study was carried out, with selected procedures, with data collected in the Outpatient Information System (SIA) through the Datasus Tabnet On-line platform in the years 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015. The results demonstrate that specialized outpatient care, secondary and tertiary, has expanded over the past two decades, following the expansion of SUS. The percentage of private participation is, in general, minority in the medium complexity services and majority in the high complexity services, and in Paraná the degree of privatization is considerably higher than at the national scope. Thus, differently from what is constitutionally recommended, in various services and areas of the SUS, it is the public that assumes the role of complementing the private. The possible impacts of the internal privatization of SUS on its limits on constituting itself as a universal, comprehensive and equal system are discussed.

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This work analyzes the demand subsidies to access health care and their relationship with large private corporations in Chile, through the transfer of public funds through the modality of freedom of choice (MLE) from 2000 to 2018. Therefore, we analyzed the expansion of the health market and the strengthening of health care corporations, identifying the distribution of resources according to type of health provider. We reviewed the annual reports of private health care corporations. We also analyzed billing data according to the provider through the freedom of choice modality from the year 2000 to the year 2018. We identified an increasing transformation of medical work from free exercise to become dependent on private health corporations, and an increase in public dependence on private providers to meet health demands. There is a growing capture of public funds by these holdings, using the strategy of increasing provider property concentration and a trans nationalization of the health market in Chile.

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En respuesta a la escasez de enfermería proyectada, legisladores de la Florida hicieron modificaciones a la ley de 2009 que cambió la Junta de enfermería aprobación y control de proceso para los programas de Educación de enfermería. Como resultado, el número de programas de enfermería aprobado en la Florida aumento de 171 a 350 (105%), que dio lugar a la proliferación de programas de enfermería pobres con baja graduación y bajo porcentaje de aprobación del NCLEX. Los estudiantes tienen el reto de distinguir programas de enfermería de buena reputación comparada a las instituciones problemáticas. La finalidad de este proyecto era crear una plataforma centralizada basada en web y evaluar la capacidad de la plataforma para incrementar el conocimiento en estudiantes de programas de enfermería posibles, en cuanto a programas de enfermería creíble. El proyecto fue implementado usando el conocimiento para la acción de marco de trabajo. Para probar el aumento de eficacia y conocimiento, estudiantes de enfermería potenciales de veintisiete acordaron examinar todos los componentes de la Página Web. Basado en el análisis, el post cuestionario partituras general fueron superiores a puntajes del cuestionario previo que demostró un aumento en el conocimiento. En el futuro, el proyecto podría ampliarse para incluir clases en línea gratuitas como terminología médica, error médico y mantenerse saludable a través de la escuela de enfermería.

In response to the projected nursing shortage, Florida law makers made modifications to the law in 2009 that changed the Board of Nursing's approval and monitoring process for nursing education programs. As a result, the number of approved nursing programs in Florida increased from 171 to 350 (105%) which resulted in the proliferation of poor nursing programs with low graduation and NCLEX pass rates. Prospective students are challenged to distinguish reputable nursing programs from problematic institutions. The purpose of this project was to create a centralized web-based platform and evaluate the ability of the platform to increase knowledge in prospective nursing students, regarding credible nursing programs. The project was implemented using the Knowledge to Action Frame Work. To test the effectiveness and knowledge gain, twenty seven prospective nursing students agreed to examine all components of the website. Based on the analysis, post questionnaire scores were overall higher than pre-questionnaire scores which showed an increase in knowledge. In the future, the project could expand to include free online classes such as, medical terminology, medical error, and staying healthy through nursing school.

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Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de control metabólico en pacientes ambulatorios con diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) de una clínica privada en Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal en la consulta externa del Servicio de endocrinología de una clínica privada de Lima, Perú. Se recolectó información socio demográfica, historia de enfermedad, autorreporte de complicaciones y comorbilidades, medidas antropométricas y presión arterial. Además, se tomó muestras de sangre para análisis de prueba rápida de glucosa, hemoglobina glicosilada (HbA1c) y perfil lipídico. Se consideró pobre control metabólico si el participante tenía HbA1c >7%, colesterol LDL (LDL-c) =100 mg/dl, y presión arterial =130/80 mmHg. Se aplicaron cuestionarios adicionales, para medir la adherencia al tratamiento, actividad física, calidad de vida, autoeficacia y depresión. Resultados: Se incluyó a 60 participantes, 53,3% (32/60) fueron de sexo femenino y la media de edad fue 63,1 ±13,2 años. Se encontró pobre control metabólico en 85% (51/60) de los participantes; presión arterial controlada en 71,2% (42/60), LDL-c controlado en 10% (6/60) y HbA1c controlado en 48,3% (29/60) de los participantes respectivamente. Complicaciones crónicas como retinopatía se autorreportó en el 3,3% (2/60) participantes, neuropatía en 10% (6/60), nefropatía en 1,7% (1/60), presión arterial alta en 30% (18/60) y enfermedad cerebro vascular en 5% (3/60) de los participantes. Conclusión: La prevalencia de control metabólico no controlado es elevada, a pesar del contexto de atención en una clínica privada. Regulación y medidas para mejorar el control en centros privados es necesario

Objective: To assess the quality of metabolic control among outpatients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in a private clinic in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods: This is a cross-sectional study in the outpatient endocrinology service of a private clinic in Lima, Peru. Socio-demographic information, history of diabetes, self-report of complications and comorbidities, anthropometric measures and blood pressure data were collected. Blood samples were taken for assessing fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and lipid profile. A poor metabolic control was considered if the participant had HbA1c >7%, LDL cholesterol (LDL-c) =100 mg/dl, and blood pressure =130/80 mmHg. Additional questionnaires were administered for measuring adherence to therapy, physical activity, quality of life, self-efficacy and depression. Results: Sixty participants were included; 53.3% (32/60) were female and their mean age was 63.1 ±13.2 years. Poor metabolic control was found in 85% (51/60) of all participants; controlled blood pressure in 71.2% (42/60), controlled LDL-C levels in 10% (6/60), and controlled HbA1c values in 48.3% (29/60) participants, respectively. Chronic complications such as retinopathy were found in 3.33% (2/60) participants, neuropathy in 10% (6/60), nephropathy in 1.7% (1/60), high blood pressure in 30% (18/60) and cerebrovascular disease in 5% (3/60) of all participants. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of poor metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes, despite being taken care of in a private clinic. It is necessary to take actions in order to improve the metabolic control in patients with type 2 diabetes attending the private health care sector

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Both proprietary and nonproprietary medicines are expected to undergo rigorous preapproval testing and both should meet stringent health authority regulatory requirements related to quality to obtain approval. Nonproprietary (also known as copy, or generic) medicines, which base their authorization and use on the proprietary documentation and label, are often viewed as a means to help lower the cost and, thus, increase patient access. If these medicines fail to meet quality standards, such as good manufacturing practice and bioequivalence (in humans), they are then defined as substandard copies and can pose serious risks to patients in terms of safety and efficacy. Potentially noncontrolled or different manufacturing process and excipients in nonproprietary medicines may result in poor batch-to-batch reproducibility (accurate and consistent quantity of each ingredient in each capsule/tablet) and lower quality. Substandard, nonproprietary copies of medicines that are immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive are of concern to patients due to their possible untoward safety and lack of efficacy events. This article reviews the potential risks associated with nonproprietary medicines that do not meet the regulatory requirements of the United States Food and Drug Administration, the European Medicines Agency, or the World Health Organization. The clinical implications for patients are described. This article focuses on nonproprietary medicines for multiple sclerosis, particularly fingolimod, that are not identical to proprietary versions and could thus fail to meet efficacy expectations or have different impact on the safety of patients with multiple sclerosis.

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Este artigo revisa a questão da prescrição dos medicamentos, no exercício da clínica veterinária, ressaltando as dificuldades e/ou problemas que podem resultar da existência de diversos nomes atribuídos a um mesmo fármaco. Os fármacos tem várias denominações: o nome químico, os nomes genéricos e o nome comercial. Cada fármaco pode estar presente em mais de uma especialidade farmacêutica produzida pelas diversas indústrias farmacêuticas e recebe uma denominação comercial distinta. Uma portaria ministerial aprovou as Denominações Comuns Brasileiras baseadas na terminologia recomendada pela Organização Mundial da Saúde para o nome genérico dos fármacos. mas parte da indústria farmacêutica de medicamentos de uso médico veterinário ainda não emprega a denominação recomendada em seus produtos. A multiplicidade resultante cria dificuldades e pode induzir o médico-veterinário a erros no momento da prescrição ou utilização de medicamentos além de obrigá-lo a freqüentes consultas a compêndios a procura da sinonímia mais conhecida para exercer uma terapêutica racional. Por outro lado, o intercâmbio comercial decorrente do acordo Mercosul, se incluir a comercialização de medicamentos veterinários, pode gerar dificuldades adicionais caso não sejam adotadas normas uniformes na denominação das substâncias ativas entre os países signatários do acordo.

Drugs can be designed by their chemical name, by their generic (or non proprietary) names and by the commercial (or proprietary) name. Drugs can be marketed by more than one company and can have several proprietary or trademark names. In Brazil pharmaceutical companies which produce veterinary drugs use different chemical or generic names to designe the active drug of medicines. This clearly create difficulties for veterinarians inducing errors andmisuses. Medicines for human use on the other hand have a offïcial generic (non-proprietary) name known as Denominações Comuns Brasileiras (Brazilian Common Denomination) which were adopted in accordance with the World Health Organization recomendations. It is stressed that Brazilian Oficial non-proprietary names should also be adopted by manufacturers of veterinary drugs. This would either help to eliminate the necessity for memorizing multiple chemical and generic drug names as been as reduce the possibility of misunderstanding and errors. If veterinary medicines would be marketed in various South-American countries, as a result from the Mercosul comercial agreement, the existence of many names for the same drug can result in an even more conjuse situation. This article deals with this problem and calls for attention for the uniformity of drug nomes.