Pharmaceutical consumption among adults, private pharmacy services and implementation of drug regulations in a selected urban and rural sector.

Abstract

Study were carried out to describe pharmaceutical consumption by adults, their satisfaction with available private pharmacy services, quality of private pharmacy practice in selected urban and rural communities. The study concludes that the self-medication prevalence ( urban -12 ; rural -8) was significantly higher in the urban sector (p=O.OO4). Pre ponderance of self section of medicines for perceived mild conditions by clients suggest their increased familiarity with western medicines. In the rural sector , pharmacy was shown to be not only a place where medicines are bought but also a place where people seek advice for minor conditions ( urban-5 ; rural -26) . Compliance with GPP was poor in both sectors and poor storage conditions of both non- refrigerated and refrigerated drugs violate the main objective of the supply of efficacious drugs. The overall quality of dispensing and the suitability of the pharmacy staff involved in dispensing were not satisfactory. Supervisory activities of FDLs are inadequate and less comprehensive. Shortcomings highlighted by the study can be improved with little extra effect aimed at improving the frequency and the quality of routine pharmacy inspectious by FDls.