Community pharmacists Awareness and Attitude toward Counterfeit medicine in Khartoum Locality: Cross Sectional Survey

BackgroundCounterfeit medicines (CFMs) are a global problem with significant and well-documented consequences for global health and patient safety. Pharmacists, as healthcare professionals, have a vital role in combating CFMs via ensuring the effectiveness and safety of any imported and dispensed medicines. ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to assess the extent, awareness and attitude of pharmacists in Sudan towards CFMs. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted applying pretested and structured questionnaire and the awareness and attitude were assessed statistically. ResultsA total of 229 participants have enrolled in the study. The majority of the respondents (76%) were found to be aware about the term CFMs during practice. 59% reported their ability to distinguish CFMs from the packaging feature and cost. Unavailability of medicine and inadequate regulatory bodies control were mentioned as the main leading factors for the spread of CFMs. 86% of the respondents reported knowing that there are pharmacists who deal with counterfeit medicines believing that they are unethical (76%). 69% of the respondents mentioned pharmacists to have vital role in combating CFMs spread through increasing knowledge and education. 62% of the participants were found to have a fair awareness about CFMs. Furthermore, 56% of them showed a good attitude toward CFMs. ConclusionCurrent literature includes gaps in knowledge and attitude towards CFMs. Therefore attention and concentrated efforts are required on the part of the government, drug manufacturers and health care providers especially pharmaceutical analysts to ensure that only drugs of acceptable quality reach the patient.