Perceived Prevalence, Awareness and Attitude towards Counterfeit Medicines among Community Pharmacists of Kathmandu Valley: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Authors

  • Sajala Kafle Department of Pharmacology, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Nisha Jha Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Shital Bhandary Department of Community Health Sciences and School of Public Health, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Lalitpur, Nepal
  • Pathiyil Ravi shankar IMU Centre for Education, International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.8651

Keywords:

community pharmacists, counterfeit drugs, cross-sectional studies, developing countries, Nepal

Abstract

Introduction: Counterfeit medicines are a significant problem globally. In a developing country like Nepal, community pharmacists play an important role in dispensing medicines. The study was done to assess community pharmacists’ perceived prevalence, awareness and attitude towards counterfeit medicines in Kathmandu valley. 

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used. Data was collected conveniently from Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur districts in March 2022 after obtaining ethical clearance from Nepal Health Research Council (reference no. 2200) and taking written informed consent from Community Pharmacists. 

Results: Among the 343 pharmacists who participated, 250 (72.89%) were from Kathmandu, 57 (16.62%) were from Lalitpur, and 36 (10.50%) from Bhaktapur. Most 252 (73.47%) were aged between 20 to 30 years, 222 (64.72%) were male, 239 (69.68%) had done a Diploma in Pharmacy, 201 (58.60%) had working experience of more than 5 years and 342 (99.71%) had done their education in Nepal. Their median perceived prevalence of counterfeit drugs was 10.00% but only 2.30% had clear knowledge of such practice. 332 (96.79%) believed that actions should be taken against community pharmacists dispensing counterfeit drugs, 325 (94.75%) believed that pharmacists who dispense counterfeit medicines are unprofessional; 338 (98.54%) stated that there should be strong law against
counterfeit medicine sales.
Conclusions: Median perceived prevalence of counterfeit medicines was 10.00% but only 2.30% were aware of counterfeit medicine dispensing. Out of 343 pharmacists, 332 (96.79%) mentioned that  action should be taken against those pharmacists knowingly dispensing counterfeit medicines and 338 (98.54%) stated that there should be strong law against counterfeit medicines.

Author Biography

Nisha Jha, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, KIST Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal

 

 

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Published

2024-06-30

How to Cite

Kafle, S., Jha, N., Bhandary, S., & Ravi shankar, P. (2024). Perceived Prevalence, Awareness and Attitude towards Counterfeit Medicines among Community Pharmacists of Kathmandu Valley: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study. Journal of Nepal Medical Association, 62(275), 427–432. https://doi.org/10.31729/jnma.8651

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