| An assessment of dispensing practices in private pharmacies in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21235657 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Objectives To assess medicine dispensing practices in private pharmacies in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and recommend interventions to improve practice. Methods A cross-sectional survey and observational study of dispensing practices among 70 pharmacies in metropolitan Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Key findings There were 1479 dispensing encounters recorded across the 70 pharmacies. This translated to 1573 medicines dispensed. Of the medicines dispensed, 16% were anti-infectives; 45% of the dispensed medicines were requested by the client, 32% were recommended by the dispenser and only 23% were on prescriptions. The main reasons for pharmacy consultations were coughs (62%), general pain (62%) and 'flu and colds. Malaria constituted 21% of the private pharmacy visits. Of the cough encounters, 30% received antibiotics. In addition, oral antibiotics were given to 81% of the clients with diarrhoea and to 95% of those with eye and ear problems. Of the 628 clients who requested specific medicines without a prescription, only 29% were asked questions on why the medicines were required. Of the clients who bought antibiotics, 20% bought incomplete doses. In total, 1180 clients were interviewed. Of these, 35% could not repeat the instructions given to them by the dispenser. Of the 70 dispensers who gave dosage instructions, only 20% gave them according to guidelines. Conclusion In Tanzania, an overwhelming proportion of medicines sold in pharmacies are dispensed without a prescription. The majority of medicines dispensed without a prescription are either requested by the client or recommended by the dispenser. When dispensing medicines, dispensers seldom give dosage instructions; when they do, the instructions are often not consistent with guidelines. A high proportion of clients seeking management of coughs and colds or for diarrhoea from private pharmacies receive antibiotics. Interventions that build the capacity of dispensers, improve the rational use of antibiotics and the management of diarrhoea in private pharmacies in Tanzania are necessary to provide consistent quality services to a populace that relies heavily on the private sector for their medications needs. |
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Authors:
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Godeliver A B Kagashe; Omary Minzi; Lloyd Matowe |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: The International journal of pharmacy practice Volume: 19 ISSN: 0961-7671 ISO Abbreviation: Int J Pharm Pract Publication Date: 2011 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-01-17 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 9204243 Medline TA: Int J Pharm Pract Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 30-5 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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© 2011 The Authors. IJPP © 2011 Royal Pharmaceutical Society. |
Affiliation:
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School of Pharmacy, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, Geneva, Switzerland. |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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