Logics of acquiring medicines from informal retailers in four African countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa and other low-income contexts, informal medicine markets are widespread. Understanding the drivers of consumer demand is important, especially given the concerns and risks associated with medicines in the informal sector.

Objectives

This study aims to 1) describe the informal medicine sector in four anglophone African countries, and 2) understand why people patronize informal medicine sellers.

Methods

Participant observation was conducted in eight markets (37 market stalls) across Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Uganda, supplemented by data collected during focus group discussions (with n = 611 participants) and key informant interviews (with n = 111), in which we discussed where participants got medicines in their comm

SUBMITTER: Wagnild JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12573556 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature