title: The role of drug vendors in improving basic health-care services in Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To characterize patent and proprietary medicine vendors and shops in Nigeria and to assess their ability to help improve access to high-quality, primary health-care services.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013 and 2014, a census of patent and proprietary medicine shops in 16 states of Nigeria was carried out to determine: (i) the size and coverage of the sector; (ii) the basic characteristics of shops and their staff; and (iii) the range of products stocked for priority health services, particularly for malaria, diarrhoea and family planning. The influence of the medical training of people in charge of the shops on the health-care products stocked and registration with official bodies was assessed by regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The number of shops per 100,000 population was higher in southern than in northern states, but the average percentage of people in charge with medical training across local government areas was higher in northern states: 52.6% versus 29.7% in southern states. Shops headed by a person with medical training were significantly more likely to stock artemisinin-based combination therapy, oral rehydration salts, zinc, injectable contraceptives and intrauterine contraceptive devices. However, these shops were less likely to be registered with the National Association of Patent and Proprietary Medicine Dealers and more likely to be registered with the regulatory body, the Pharmacist Council of Nigeria.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Many patent and proprietary medicine vendors in Nigeria were medically trained. With additional training and oversight, they could help improve access to basic health-care services. Specifically, vendors with medical training could participate in task-shifting interventions.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Aging, Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California - San Francisco, 3333 California Street (Suite 340), San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America (USA).
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Aging, Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California - San Francisco, 3333 California Street (Suite 340), San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America (USA).
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Prach
authors.affiliation: Institute for Health and Aging, Social and Behavioral Sciences, University of California - San Francisco, 3333 California Street (Suite 340), San Francisco, California, CA 94118, United States of America (USA).
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Treleaven
authors.affiliation: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA .
authors.forename: Mara
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.affiliation: Society for Family Health, Abuja, Nigeria .
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Anyanti
authors.affiliation: Partners for Human Research Empowerment and Development, Abuja, Nigeria .
authors.forename: Temple
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jagha
authors.affiliation: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, Washington, USA .
authors.forename: Vince
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Seaman
authors.affiliation: National Malaria Elimination Programme, Abuja, Nigeria .
authors.forename: Olufemi
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ajumobi
authors.affiliation: Society for Family Health, Abuja, Nigeria .
authors.forename: Chinwoke
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Isiguzo
mesh_terms: D000962:Antimalarials / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy; D005193:Family Planning Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008288:Malaria / Q000188:drug therapy; D009549:Nigeria; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D011787:Quality of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012111:Residence Characteristics
chemical_list: D000962:Antimalarials; D055553:Prescription Drugs