Abstract
Access to both essential and non-essential medications is increasing worldwide. While increased drug access is a positive development, many countries lack the infrastructure for appropriate distribution, administration, and monitoring of drug therapy. The objective of this study was to assess medication and pharmacy-related needs in the rural Ashanti Region of Ghana and to determine barriers of achieving optimal health outcomes in this region. Qualitative domains and associated themes were identified by observations from integration into community culture and from conduction of semi-structured interviews with local community leaders, health workers, or those with knowledge of health-related issues. Eight semi-structured interviews were completed and four thematic domains were identified; access to care, resource shortages, medication safety, and education/training. Barriers and challenges identified under each thematic domain included (but were not limited to) availability of clean water sources, shortages of medications and diagnostic equipment, financial considerations, misunderstanding of medication indications and directions for use, and shortages of qualified pharmacy or dispensary staff. Most respondents also expressed a need for continuing education and training of healthcare personnel. It can be concluded that there is a need for development of health services related to medications. Locally supported interventions and future research should focus on barriers and challenges identified from the thematic domains.
Highlights
Access to both essential and non-essential medications is increasing worldwide, largely facilitated by global health partnerships and international policy (Ngoasong 2009)
While increased drug access is a positive development, many countries lack the infrastructure for appropriate distribution, administration, and monitoring of drug therapy (Bhargava 2005)
Medications regularly available at the clinic include analgesics, oral antibiotics, intravenous rehydration solutions, vitamins, and antimalarials. They are dispensed by a pharmacy technician
Summary
Access to both essential and non-essential medications is increasing worldwide, largely facilitated by global health partnerships and international policy (Ngoasong 2009). Expansion of medication use creates both opportunities and challenges for health care systems. Shortages of trained pharmacists and pharmacy technicians may further increase demands placed on already stressed systems (Smith 2004). In order to develop solutions to these challenges, region-specific medication-related needs assessments are required to characterize strengths and weaknesses of current operations. Patients usually obtain medications from public clinics, or independently owned and operated chemical shops. Medications are dispensed by many types of healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, nurses, and nursing students. Situation-based needs assessments may be useful, especially in these rural areas, to help governments, non-governmental organizations, and international volunteer organizations target specific strategies relating to the medication needs of these regions
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