[Patterns of antiretroviral therapy adoption by the Brazilian public health system].

OBJECTIVE The aim of the present scientific study is to evaluate the patterns of antiretroviral technology adoption by the Brazilian Public Health System (SUS). METHODS Based on previous articles published in scientific medical literature, three indicators to assess antiretroviral technology adoption by SUS were proposed: knowledge-adoption interval; critical mass of knowledge; and validation-adoption interval. Using the databases from the SUS Department of Information Technology (DATASUS) and from the Brazilian Logistic Center for Medication Control (SICLOM), two pharmaceutical groups were selected (antiretroviral medications and a group of high cost medications). RESULTS Antiretroviral medications were adopted faster than the high cost medication group when assessed on the basis of "knowledge-adoption" interval and "validation-adoption" interval. Yet, they require a lower "critical mass of knowledge" before adoption. CONCLUSION Antiretroviral medications have been adopted faster and based on a lower number of scientific medical articles than a selected group of high cost medications.