A Cross-Sectional Survey on the Dispensing Practice and its Determinants from the Retailers’ Perspective in Rural Areas of Gazipur

Being the de facto primary healthcare contacts in rural Bangladesh, retail pharmacy shops (RPSs) influence medication usage by people. Therefore, identifying dispensing activities of RPSs can be a key indicator medicine use. The aim current study is to explore drug practice pharmacists areas Gazipur district. A cross-sectional was designed find out analgesic, antipyretic, Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), sedative & hypnotic, ED and multivitamin drugs, assess determinants impacting practice, acceptance level retailers’ suggestions. Forty seven were selected random sampling 92 Sadar from list registered allopathic Directorate General Drug Administration (DGDA). Dispensers interviewed with structured validated questionnaire data analyzed using ‘Microsoft Office Excel 2016’. Diclofen, Napa extra, Rivotril, Seclo, Niagra Filwel Gold reported as highest dispensed brands at that time. lowest found Apeclo, Zerin, Relaxen, Procap, Adegra Biovit Gold. Among ‘prescriber’s choice’ dominated most Multivitamin (94%), Sedative Hypnotic (87%), Analgesic (77%) groups. ‘Dispenser’s emerged determinant group (62%) which alarming. Moreover, an unlicensed foreign brand, Senegra many drugstores. Buyer’s choice (self-medication) more remarkable Antipyretic (38%) GERD drugs (21%). Although only few over-the-counter (OTC), almost all being without prescriptions. As per perception, buyers did not seem much affected price (72%) indicating studied drugs’ affordable. total 66% dispensers suggest alternative brand absence sought (brand-substitution) implying fact untrained may potentially 77% claimed usually accept their suggestions no surprise considering reality our buy-sale practice. Retailers’ perspective might great tool understand scenario on ground. Effective regulatory social initiatives devised accordingly strengthen rational use medicine. Dhaka Univ. J. Pharm. Sci. 22(1): 55-63, 2023 (June)