The availability and cost of antibiotics for treating PID in the Central Region of Ghana and implications for compliance with national treatment guidelines.
The availability and cost of antibiotics for treating pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) were assessed in 17 drug-dispensing outlets in 5 districts of the Central Region, Ghana. The outlets included the dispensaries of 2 regional and 4 district hospitals, 4 privately-owned pharmacies and 7 chemical seller shops. The most common antibiotics available, including co-trimoxazole, metronidazole, benzylpenicillin, amoxycillin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin, were also the lowest-priced drugs. Conversely, the most expensive antibiotics including ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime and spectinomycin, were also the least commonly available. Recommended anti-gonococcal antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone) may not be prescribed if they are not available in the districts.
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. wbosu@gha.healthnet.org
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Bosu
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Mabey
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D000292:Pelvic Inflammatory Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents