Impact of prepackaging antimalarial drugs on cost to patients and compliance with treatment
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Date
2001
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Health Organisation
Abstract
Objective: To examine the extent to which district health teams could reduce the burden of malaria, a continuing major cause of mortality and morbidity, in a situation where severe resource constraints existed and integrated care was provided. Methods: Antimalarial drugs were prepackaged into unit doses in an attempt to improve compliance with full courses of chemotherapy. Findings: Compliance improved by approximately 20% in both adults and children. There were 50% reductions in cost to patients, waiting time at dispensaries and drug wastage at facilities. The intervention, which tended to improve both case and drug management at facilities, was well accepted by health staff and did not involve them in additional working time. Conclusion: The prepackaging of antimalarials at the district level offers the prospect of improved compliance and a reduction in the spread of resistance.
Description
Keywords
EMTREE drug terms: antimalarial agent; chloroquine; paracetamol, GEOBASE Subject Index: disease control; drug prescribing; health care; malaria, EMTREE medical terms: adolescent; adult; antimicrobial therapy; article; child; drug cost; drug packaging; female; human; infant; major clinical study; malaria; male; morbidity; mortality; patient compliance; preschool child; prescription; school child; treatment outcome, MeSH: Acetaminophen; Adult; Antimalarials; Child; Chloroquine; Dosage Forms; Drug Costs; Drug Packaging; Ghana; Humans; Malaria, Falciparum; Patient Compliance
Citation
Yeboah-Antwi, K., Gyapong, J. O., Asare, I. K., Barnish, G., Evans, D. B., & Adjei, S. (2001). Impact of prepackaging antimalarial drugs on cost to patients and compliance with treatment. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 79(5), 394-399.