| Drug quality in South Africa: perceptions of key players involved in medicines distribution. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19725374 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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PURPOSE: Substandard medicines contribute to poor public health and affect development, especially in the developing world. However knowledge of how manufacturers, distributors and providers understand the concept of drug quality and what strategies they adopt to ensure drug quality is limited, particularly in the developing world. The purpose of this paper is to explore pharmaceutical manufacturers', distributors' and providers' perceptions of drug quality in South Africa and how they ensure the quality of drugs during the distribution process. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The approach taken was qualitative data collection through key informant interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Transcripts were analysed thematically in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Durban, South Africa. Participants were recruited purposefully from a South African pharmaceutical manufacturer, SA subsidiaries of international manufacturers, national distribution companies, national wholesaler, public and private sector pharmacists, and a dispensing doctor. In total, ten interviews were conducted. FINDINGS: Participants described drug quality in terms of the product and the processes involved in manufacturing and handling the product. Participants identified purchasing registered medicines from licensed suppliers, use of standard operating procedures, and audits between manufacturer and distributor and/or provider as key strategies employed to protect medicine quality. Effective communication amongst all stakeholders, especially in terms of providing feedback regarding complaints about medicine quality, appears as a potential area of concern, which would benefit from further research. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The paper hightlights that ensuring medicine quality should be a shared responsibility amongst all involved in the distribution process to prevent medicines moving from one distribution system (public) into another (private). |
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Authors:
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Aarti Patel; Pauline Norris; Robin Gauld; Thomas Rades |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: International journal of health care quality assurance Volume: 22 ISSN: 0952-6862 ISO Abbreviation: Int J Health Care Qual Assur Publication Date: 2009 |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-09-03 Completed Date: 2010-09-30 Revised Date: 2011-08-25 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8916799 Medline TA: Int J Health Care Qual Assur Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 547-60 Citation Subset: H |
Affiliation:
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Otago University, Dunedin, New Zealand. aarti.patel@stonebow.otago.ac.nz |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Delivery of Health Care
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standards*,
statistics & numerical data Drug Industry / standards*, statistics & numerical data Drug Toxicity Formularies as Topic / standards Health Policy Health Services Accessibility / standards*, statistics & numerical data Humans Prescription Drugs / standards, supply & distribution* Qualitative Research Quality Assurance, Health Care Quality of Health Care / standards*, statistics & numerical data Social Perception* South Africa |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Prescription Drugs |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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