Medicine sellers' perspectives on their role in providing health care in North-West Cameroon: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Increasing recognition of the importance of medicine sellers in low-resource settings has emerged alongside assumptions that their motives and capacities primarily relate to profit maximization. This article suggests a need to reframe thinking about the role of medicine sellers in developing country health systems.

Methods

We used in-depth interviews to explore perceptions of medicine seller roles among a restricted random sample of 20 medicine sellers in North-West Cameroon. Interviews and analysis explored self-perception of their work/role, community perceptions, skills and knowledge, regulation, future plans, links with the formal health system and diversity among medicine sellers.

Results

Medicine sellers in our study were a varied, yet distinct group.

SUBMITTER: Hughes R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3753882 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature