Availability and choice of antimalarials at medicine outlets in Ghana: The question of access to effective medicines for malaria control

Although national and international efforts to combat malaria have intensified over the years, problems with availability, distribution, and choice of antimalarials at medicine outlets in Africa continue to exist. This article presents the results of an indicator-based assessment of availability and choice of antimalarials at 130 licensed medicine outlets in Ghana. We also discuss how the choice of an antimalarial to dispense conforms to recommendations of the national policy for malaria therapy. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews, by reviewing facility records, and by observing the practices of dispensing staff in the medicine outlets. Antimalarials recommended in the policy were not readily available in the most accessible medicine outlets. Few outlets adhered to the policy when choosing antimalarials. Interventions targeting medicine outlets should be initiated to improve availability and access to effective medicines in order to support the national program for malaria control. © 2008 American Society for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics.