Perceptions and practices on substandard and falsified medicines in humans and animals in Wakiso district, Uganda: A qualitative study
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View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Substandard and falsified medicines (SFMs) pose risks in Uganda communities. Key drivers include poor knowledge, limited access to legitimate pharmacies, and weak regulation, necessitating increased awareness and enforcement to protect public health.
Area Of Science
- * Public Health
- * Pharmaceutical Sciences
- * Social Sciences
Background
- * Limited research on substandard and falsified medicines (SFMs) in Ugandan community settings.
- * Qualitative assessment of SFMs for human and animal use in Wakiso District, Uganda.
Purpose Of The Study
- * To explore community perceptions and practices regarding SFMs.
- * To identify drivers and challenges associated with SFMs in Uganda.
Main Methods
- * Qualitative study utilizing 12 focus group discussions and 11 key informant interviews.
- * Participants included community health workers, farmers, health professionals, and officials.
- * Thematic analysis of data was performed using NVivo.
Main Results
- * Participants defined SFMs by consequences (e.g., side effects, death) and identification methods (e.g., appearance changes, negative effects post-use).
- * Drivers of SFMs included inadequate knowledge, financial constraints, limited access to licensed pharmacies, weak regulation, and business practices.
- * Challenges in reporting SFMs involved lack of knowledge, proof of purchase, fear, and distrust in government procedures.
Conclusions
- * Identified drivers of SFMs are linked to individual factors, medicine sources, and regulatory weaknesses.
- * Recommendations include enhancing SFM awareness, improving purchase traceability and reporting mechanisms, and strengthening regulatory enforcement to safeguard public health.
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