[Attitudes of Bolivian pharmacy distributors in a case of diarrhea]

In order to learn the recommendations given for a case of diarrhea by persons who sell medications at pharmacies, interviewers visited pharmacies in three Bolivian cities and said they had a child suffering from diarrhea. Less than 2% of the vendors recommended using oral rehydration salts, increasing fluid intake, or consulting a doctor. Most of them recommended antibiotics, antidiarrheals, or both. Oral rehydration salts were not available in nearly two-thirds of the establishments visited, and those that had the salts rarely offered them. This study revealed the lack of integration of these professionals into the Health Secretariat's training program, and as a result activities were initiated to solve this problem.