Drug abundance: situation of drugs and drug distribution in the villages of rural Thailand.
The paper describes the situation of drugs and drug sources found available at the village level in Thailand. It concludes, from village-survey data (N = 195) and village case studies (N = 15), that drugs are available in abundance. A vast variety of drugs, including prescription drugs, are available at various sources, of which the most common ones are grocery stores. The situation reflects the failure of the drug regulation system as well as the influence of commercial pharmaceutical sector in drug provision. This situation hampers attempts to rationalize drug use by consumers.
Sri-Ngernyuang
L
L
Center for Health Policy Studies, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Mahidol University, Nakornprathom, Thailand.
D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005511:Food Handling; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D010594:Pharmacies; D017149:Private Sector; D012423:Rural Health; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations