African Journal of Community and Environmental Health | 05 November 2002
Homegrown Medicine Availability and Patient Satisfaction Assessment in Nigerian Pharmacies: An Intervention Study
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Abstract
Nigerian pharmacies play a crucial role in providing homegrown medicines to patients across various regions of Nigeria. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including quantitative surveys (\(N=200)\) to measure medicine availability and qualitative interviews (\(n=30)\) to explore patient experiences and pharmacist opinions. Quantitative data revealed that approximately 75% of surveyed pharmacies stocked homegrown medicines, with a significant variability in stock levels across regions. Qualitative analysis identified themes related to the effectiveness of these medicines among patients. The study provides insights into the dynamics of homegrown medicine availability and patient satisfaction in Nigerian pharmacies, highlighting regional disparities and potential areas for improvement. Pharmacies should maintain consistent stock levels of homegrown medicines based on local demand surveys. Pharmacists are encouraged to engage with patients to understand their needs better and improve service quality.