Pharmacies in informal settlements : a retrospective, cross-sectional household and health facility survey in four countries

Bakibinga, P. and Kabaria, C. and Kasiira, Z. and Kibe, P. and Kyobutungi, C. and Mbaya, N. and Mberu, B. and Mohammed, S. and Njeri, A. and Azam, I. and Iqbal, R. and Nazish, A. and Rizvi, N. and Shifat Ahmed, S.A.K. and Choudhury, N. and Alam, O. and Khan, A.Z. and Rahman, O. and Yusuf, R. and Odubanjo, D. and Ayobola, M. and Fayehun, O. and Omigbodun, A. and Osuh, M. and Owoaje, E. and Taiwo, O. and Lilford, R.J. and Sartori, J. and Watson, S.I. and Diggle, P.J. and Aujla, N. and Chen, Y.-F. and Gill, P. and Griffiths, F. and Harris, B. and Madan, J. and Muir, H. and Oyebode, O. and Pitidis, V. and de Albuquerque, J.P. and Smith, S. and Taylor, C. and Ulbrich, P. and Uthman, O.A. and Wilson, R. and Yeboah, G. and Watson, S.I. and Collaborative, Improving Health in Slums (2021) Pharmacies in informal settlements : a retrospective, cross-sectional household and health facility survey in four countries. BMC Health Services Research, 21 (1): 945. ISSN 1472-6963

Abstract

Background: Slums or informal settlements characterize most large cities in LMIC. Previous evidence suggests pharmacies may be the most frequently used source of primary care in LMICs but that pharmacy services are of variable quality. However, evidence on pharmacy use and availability is very limited for slum populations. Methods: We conducted household, individual, and healthcare provider surveys and qualitative observations on pharmacies and pharmacy use in seven slum sites in four countries (Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, and Bangladesh). All pharmacies and up to 1200 households in each site were sampled. Adults and children were surveyed about their use of healthcare services and pharmacies were observed and their services, equipment, and stock documented. Results: We completed 7692 household and 7451 individual adults, 2633 individual child surveys, and 157 surveys of pharmacies located within the seven sites. Visit rates to pharmacies and drug sellers varied from 0.1 (Nigeria) to 3.0 (Bangladesh) visits per person-year, almost all of which were for new conditions. We found highly variable conditions in what constituted a “pharmacy” across the sites and most pharmacies did not employ a qualified pharmacist. Analgesics and antibiotics were widely available but other categories of medications, particularly those for chronic illness were often not available anywhere. The majority of pharmacies lacked basic equipment such as a thermometer and weighing scales. Conclusions: Pharmacies are locally and widely available to residents of slums. However, the conditions of the facilities and availability of medicines were poor and prices relatively high. Pharmacies may represent a large untapped resource to improving access to primary care for the urban poor.