In order to assess the action scheme of the National Program against Malaria, a study has been conducted in 25 pharmacies in Bouaké an area of high malaria transmission. The kind and quality of malaria treatments suggested by medical personnel, pharmacy sellers and used in automedication have been studied. The results proved that chloroquine is the molecule most delivered (25.7%) in private pharmacies. The parasitological diagnosis is scarcely requested by medical personnel. As in automedication, posological mistakes are relatively frequent with medical and pharmacy personnel (29.3%). The duration of the treatment is not specified in 14.2% of cases. Training and information actions must be reinforced for a better care of malaria.
Copyright John Libbey Eurotext 2003.