Understanding dynamics of private tuberculosis pharmacy market: a qualitative inquiry from a South Indian district.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

In India, retail private pharmacists (RPPs) are often patients' first point of contact for diseases, including tuberculosis (TB). We assessed the factors influencing RPPs' referral of patients with chest symptoms to the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) and the way business is carried out with reference to TB drugs.

Design

We conducted semistructured interviews with a purposive sample of 41 RPPs in a South Indian district between May and October 2013. Data were collected from urban areas (21 RPPs) and rural areas (20 RPPs) employing the principle of data saturation. Data were analysed thematically using NVivo V.9.

Results

Knowledge and compliance of RPPs regarding TB symptoms and regulatory requirements were found to be poor. The RPPs routinely dispe

SUBMITTER: Yellappa V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8788189 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature