Changes in Availability, Utilization, and Prices of Medicines and Protection Equipment for COVID-19 in an Urban Population of Northern Nigeria.
COVID-19
Community pharmacists
Nigeria
medicines
price rises
Journal
Journal of research in pharmacy practice
ISSN: 2319-9644
Titre abrégé: J Res Pharm Pract
Pays: India
ID NLM: 101614023
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
Historique:
received:
23
07
2020
accepted:
24
11
2020
entrez:
23
7
2021
pubmed:
24
7
2021
medline:
24
7
2021
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Measures are ongoing to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and treat it with medicines and personal protective equipment (PPE). However, there has been considerable controversy surrounding treatments such as hydroxychloroquine with misinformation fuelling prices hikes and suicides. Shortages have also appreciably increased costs of PPE, potentially catastrophic among lower- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria with high copayment levels. Consequently, a need to investigate changes in availability, utilization, and prices of relevant medicines and PPE during the pandemic in Nigeria. Exploratory study among community pharmacists with a survey tool comprising four sections including questions on changes in consumption, prices, and shortages of medicines and PPE from the beginning of March 2020 to the end of June 2020. In addition, suggestions from community pharmacists and co-authors on ways to reduce misinformation. 30 out of 34 pharmacists participated giving a response rate of 88.2%. Significant increases were seen (3-fold or more increase) in the consumption of hydroxychloroquine (100%), vitamins/immune boosters (96.7%) and antibiotics (46.7%) as well as PPE (100%). Considerable price increases (50% increase or greater) also seen for antimalarials (96.7%), antibiotics (93.3%), vitamins/immune boosters (66.7%), and PPE (100%). Shortages are also seen for hydroxychloroquine and vitamins/immune boosters but most severe for PPE (80% of pharmacies). Encouraging to see increases in the utilization of vitamins/immune boosters and PPE. However, a considerable increase in the utilization and prices of antimicrobials is a concern that needs addressing including misinformation. Community pharmacists have a key role in providing evidence-based advice and helping moderate prices.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34295848
doi: 10.4103/jrpp.JRPP_20_92
pii: JRPP-10-17
pmc: PMC8259594
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
17-22Informations de copyright
Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice.
Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts
There are no conflicts of interest.
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