Abstract
Introduction (with objective): The National Program for the Qualification of Pharmaceutical Assistance in the Unified Health System (QUALIFAR-SUS) constitutes a strategy aimed at strengthening Pharmaceutical Assistance (PA) in Primary Care, with the purpose of improving and integrating its actions with health services. The program is organized into four structuring axes: Structure, directed at the qualification of physical conditions and resources; Information, focused on monitoring and evaluating actions; Care, which integrates PA with clinical practices; and Education, aimed at professional training. This integrative review aimed to critically analyze the scientific production about QUALIFAR-SUS since its implementation in 2012. Material and Method: The search was conducted in the SciELO, Google Scholar, CAPES Journals and institutional repositories, encompassing publications between 2012 and 2025. Qualitative and quantitative studies and technical reports that centrally addressed the implementation, effects or structuring of PA within the scope of the program were included. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: Studies with different methodological approaches, normative and implementation evaluations, cross-sectional studies, observational analyses, experience reports, and institutional documents were included. In general, the studies indicate that the program contributed to improvements in infrastructure, computerization of services, and organization of municipal pharmaceutical assistance. Progress occurred unevenly among municipalities, influenced by local management capacity, availability of human resources, and socioeconomic conditions. Weaknesses were identified in the institutionalization of pharmaceutical assistance, in the integration of municipal planning, and in the regularity and use of financial resources. The findings were organized into five analytical categories: pharmacy infrastructure; management and planning of pharmaceutical assistance; inter-federative agreement; institutionalization of pharmaceutical assistance; and program effects and identified gaps. Discussion: The literature indicates that QUALIFAR-SUS has contributed to structural improvements in pharmaceutical assistance, such as the adaptation of spaces, computerization, and improvement of supply centers. However, the program's effects are unevenly distributed among municipalities, being strongly influenced by local management capacity, availability of human resources, and socioeconomic conditions. Weaknesses in planning, institutional limitations, and irregularities in funding also interfere with the sustainability of the actions. Furthermore, scientific production is still limited and concentrated on local analyses, with a scarcity of robust evaluative studies. These findings indicate that, although the program has the potential to induce improvements, its effectiveness depends on strengthening governance, inter-federative articulation, and expanding systematized evidence on its results. Conclusion: The integrative review shows that QUALIFAR-SUS has contributed to relevant advances in the qualification of pharmaceutical care within the SUS (Brazilian Unified Health System), especially in strengthening infrastructure, organizing services, and expanding pharmaceutical action in primary care. However, the program's effectiveness varies among municipalities, influenced by regional inequalities, local management capacity, and the availability of human and financial resources. In addition, there is a scarcity of evaluative studies with national scope and the use of impact indicators.
