Factors Associated with Pharmaceutical Expenditures by Elderly People in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

A study was carried out to analyze the factors associated with drug spending by the elderly population in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Data were obtained using a household survey of 667 community-dwelling persons aged 60 years or older conducted in 2003. A Tobit multivariate model was used to analyze factors associated with pharmaceutical expenditures. Data from 590 respondents were used for the analysis. The mean out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditure was US$ 38.91. Better sociodemographic conditions, worse health conditions and greater use of health services were associated with out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditures by elderly people in Belo Horizonte. The out-of-pocket pharmaceutical expenditures by elderly people were high considering their income level. The factors that influence spending should be considered in the formulation of pharmaceutical policies that improve the health conditions of elderly people.