Abstract
Introduction: The Health Technology Management Policy advocates the dissemination of knowledge in a transparent and continuous manner. Among the activities developed by the Health Technology Assessment Centers (NATS), the dissemination of scientifically based information is an important action. The creation and dissemination of newsletters by NATS represents a strategy that can contribute to the promotion of equity in access and rational use of medicines. The newsletter is a resource that assists in the rapid dissemination of knowledge related to health technologies, to various actors and sectors, contributing to a more egalitarian, sustainable and accessible health system for all segments of society. Given this scenario, the objective of this work is to report the experience of a NATS in the production and dissemination of newsletters on Medicines/Pharmaceutical Assistance (MAF) and Health Technology Assessment (HTA). Methods: Meetings are held with the team to define the agenda, define the writers for each section of the newsletter and the deadlines for submitting the texts. NATS pharmacists are the main writers, with experts from other sectors of the institution also participating. The editing and layout are done using Canva web software. Each edition of the newsletter is sent by institutional email to professionals linked to SUS pharmacies of the municipal and state administration, and other public or private institutions, and published on social media and on the NATS website. Results: The newsletter was named Farmacimbahia, prepared on two pages, divided into 4 sections, first edition in May 2020 and quarterly frequency. In its 13 editions, the main topics covered were: MAF management, organization and operation of Conitec, National List of Essential Medicines, Scientific evidence and the Covid-19 pandemic, summary of new Clinical Protocols and Therapeutic Guidelines (PCDTs), decisions on incorporating technologies by the Ministry of Health, ongoing public consultations, introduction to HTA and evidence-based healthcare (SBE) concepts, dissemination of HTA training courses, health regulation of Cannabis derivatives, cost-effectiveness threshold, among others. Discussion and conclusions: By disseminating information on MAF, Rename, PCDTs and technology incorporations in the SUS, Farmacimbahia plays an important role in updating professionals. Through the presentation of the concepts of SBE and HTA, it encourages critical and reflective reading. In this way, it contributes to reducing information asymmetry, favoring more assertive guidance to users regarding treatment alternatives in the SUS, promoting equity in access and rational use of medicines. Internally, the project allowed the team to exercise creativity, develop skills in communication, text production and digital formatting. In addition, Farmacimbahia is in line with other similar national and international initiatives, such as the Conitec Bulletin, the Brazilian Bulletin of Health Technology Assessment (BRATS), the HTAi Review, among others, which disseminate qualified information and guide healthcare based on the best existing scientific evidence.
