Anti-tuberculosis treatment in private pharmacies, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.
METHODS
Urban municipality of 150000 citizens in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal.


OBJECTIVE
To determine 1) the perceptions among private pharmacists of characteristics of tuberculosis (TB) patients visiting private pharmacies in the area, 2) the sales of different anti-tuberculosis drugs, and 3) the interaction between private health providers and pharmacists.


METHODS
Between January and April 1998, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 98% (49/50) of the private drug-retailers in the area.


RESULTS
Thirty-two (65%) pharmacies had sold anti-TB drugs during the last month. Forty-three (88%) said that most TB patients were of low socio-economic status and rarely bought drugs for more than a week at a time. Only eight (16%) reported that TB patients usually returned to buy the full course of drugs. Seventy-two per cent of total spending on anti-tuberculosis drugs was for different kinds of combinations of drugs. Nine per cent was spent on plain rifampicin, believed to be sold only to tuberculosis/leprosy patients. During the previous month, 5/13 (38%) of pharmacies with no doctors attached had sold anti-tuberculosis drugs compared with 27/38 (71%) of pharmacies with doctors attached to them (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The private sector offers an available and acceptable but non-affordable service for many TB patients. A substantial amount of anti-TB drugs are being sold in the private pharmacies. There is therefore a potential role for pharmacists to play in collaborative efforts between the private and public sector in TB control activities.
Hurtig
A K
AK
Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK. a.hurtig@lshtm.ac.uk
Pande
S B
SB
Baral
S C
SC
Porter
J D
JD
Bam
D S
DS
D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009390:Nepal; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000191:economics; D010595:Pharmacists; D011331:Private Practice; D017149:Private Sector; D012923:Social Class; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents