%0 Journal Article
%T A oferta e a procura de sa¨˛de atrav¨¦s do medicamento: proposta de um campo de pesquisa
%A Lef¨¨vre
%A Fernando
%J Revista de Sa¨˛de P¨˛blica
%D 1987
%I Universidade de S?o Paulo
%R 10.1590/S0034-89101987000100010
%X the symbolic utilization of medicines as implying an abridgement of a long and multidimensional process which is necessary for achieving health status, socially and individually speaking, is discussed from a theoretical point of view. "instant health" is proposed as the desired result or as the meaning of this symbolic process. the politico-ideological dimensions of the problem as strictly relation to the idea of medicines as merchandise is discussed. the paper also considers the false opposition: prescribed versus nonprescribed medicines and offers a new one - symbolic versus nonsymbolic use of medicines. finally, a new field of research is proposed in public health - the supply and demand of symbolic goods which would satisfy the desire for "instant health".
%K drugs
%K health
%K semiotics
%K self medication.
%U http://www.scielosp.org/scielo.php?script=sci_abstract&pid=S0034-89101987000100010&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en