Malaria Treatment in Nigeria: The Role of Patent Medicine Vendors.
Abstract
A team from Ibadan University undertook a scoping study in 12 local government areas (LGAs) in three states to explore the malaria treatment market and the role of PMVs, and to look at ways to improve malaria treatment. The main findings are: PMVs are the largest source of malaria treatment in all areas; PMVs have little knowledge of the new treatment guidelines, and most government officials know little about PMVs; the PMVs provide many different drugs for malaria, but the most common and cheapest are the least effective; the recommended treatment, ACT, is not readily available, and is the most expensive; PMVs, other health providers, government officials, and community members share concerns about the quality of drugs; and the organisation of the supply chain for pharmaceuticals differs between states, meaning that local knowledge and locally adapted solutions are needed. The study identifies new strategies for tackling these issues. They involve partnerships of PMVs, their associations, government officials and communities and may include the use of new communications and drug testing technologies.
Citation
Policy Brief No.1, 4 pp.