Analysis of the database quality of the National Controlled Products Management System (SNGPC)

Abstract

The study aimed to analyze the quality of the database regarding antimicrobials from the Brazilian National Controlled Products Management System (SNGPC) available in the public domain and propose improvements. This was an exploratory and descriptive study of antimicrobial sales records from Brazilian private pharmacies, conducted from June 2017 to 2020. Three quality dimensions were considered: completeness, methodological clarity, and validity. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Although the database offers valuable information on antimicrobial consumption, it also poses several challenges that hinder or complicate the analysis. The main obstacles found were: a lack of standardization of the name and description of antimicrobials, the presence of different information in the presentation description field, and the absence of anonymized individualized data. The SNGPC is a key data source on antimicrobial consumption in Brazil, as private pharmacies and drugstores are the population’s primary sources of access to these medications. However, the SNGPC requires improvements to facilitate its use by researchers, policymakers, and healthcare professionals. These improvements would enable more comprehensive studies and support the systematic monitoring of antimicrobial consumption, contributing to strategies to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR).