Assessing the quality of pharmacy practices in Wa Municipality, Upper West Region, Ghana

vast majority of pharmacists are concentrated in the cities of Ghana. There is therefore a wide gap between urban and rural dwellers when it comes to accessing quality healthcare. In recognition of this, the Pharmacy Council has licensed private sector drug shops called chemical shops to sell over-the-counter-medicines. This study sought to determine the qualification and knowledge as well as general dispensing practices adopted by dispensers of pharmacies and chemical shops. The study also sought to determine compliance of the pharmacies and chemical shops to laid-down regulations. A total of three (3) community pharmacies and twenty-nine (29) chemical shops were enrolled for the study. A structured questionnaire was used to interview dispensers. The study revealed that 19% of the dispensers did not have any formal education. About 48% of the dispensers had no qualification related to pharmacy. All the community pharmacies were licensed whereas 56% of the chemical shops were not licensed. At least 60% of the chemical shops were found to sell various antibiotics to the public outside the remit of their license. However, majority of the dispensers received training from the Pharmacy Council of Ghana. A considerable number of the dispensers (65%) had sufficient knowledge of the drugs being sold. The general knowledge in dispensing practices of the dispensers in the Wa Municipality was inadequate. Policy should therefore focus on strengthening regulatory enforcement, in combination with education for dispensers.

Author(s): Sixtus B. Bayaa Martin Saana

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