Supply steroid drugs to private pharmacies in Hanoi

ABSTRACT

To investigate /the knowledge and practice of drug sellers in private pharmacies in relation to providing prednisolon, a corticosteroid drug that have been regulated as a prescribed-only drug. Sixty private pharmacies in Ha Noi were randomly selected. Knowledge of pharmacy staffs was assessed using a pre-defined questionnaire. 70 interviews were conducted. The practice was assessed through the Simulated client Method (SCM), where 283 encounters were conducted. 60% of pharmacy staffs interviewed said that they would not dispense steroid without prescription. Among these, 58% stated that it is not allowed by prescription regulations. In practice all but one pharmacy dispensed steroids without prescriptions. In 79% of all the encounter steroid were dispensed. Considering the neglect of the prescription regulations and the frequently reported adverse effects due to use of steroid, this illegal pharmacy practice constitutes a public health problem