ArticleBMJ global health2023
Improved knowledge on substandard and falsified (SF) medical products through a dedicated course for pharmacy students at three universities in sub-Saharan Africa.
Article in BMJ global health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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The trial behind it
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.
- Assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices and demand-side interventions for combating substandard and falsified medicines: a scoping review.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2025Review
- Substandard and falsified medicines in Africa: healthcare systems challenges, supply chain issues, regulatory challenges and strategies to increase access to quality medicines.Frontiers in pharmacology · 2025Review
- Sudden Spurt in Pediatric Patients with AKI in Uzbekistan: A Call for International Drug Quality Control and Pharmaceutical Legislation.Kidney360 · 2023Article
- The response to substandard and falsified medical products in francophone sub-Saharan African countries: weaknesses and opportunities.Journal of pharmaceutical policy and practice · 2023Article
- Uncertainties about the quality of medical products globally: lessons from multidisciplinary research.BMJ global health · 2023Article
- [Regulation of the online sale of medical products: experiences and strategies for Latin AmericaRegulamentação da venda de produtos médicos pela internet: experiências e estratégias para a América Latina].Revista panamericana de salud publica = Pan American journal of public health · 2023Article
- Drivers and strategies to combat substandard and falsified medicines in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.The journal of medicine accessReview
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
9 authors at 7 institutions in 5 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundToo few pharmacists receive formal training on substandard and falsified (SF) medical products. Strengthening knowledge across pharmacists is considered a moral and ethical duty of academia, that is, to build the health systems' capacities to combat this global health threat these poor-quality products represent. This study therefore aimed to evaluate whether a dedicated educational course for undergraduate pharmacy students can improve their knowledge on these products.
methodsA survey was conducted at three sub-Saharan universities. Knowledge was assessed through scores on a 20-point questionnaire with questions related to the course content. Scores were compared before and after the course, and a linear mixed-effects model analysis was used to analyse score differences. Students were furthermore asked for feedback and self-assessment. In addition, teachers were interviewed on the context of the course introduction. These data were analysed descriptively.
resultsAmong 335 out of 355 students who completed the survey (n=41/53 in Cameroon, n=244/252 in Senegal and n=50/50 in Tanzania), knowledge of SF medical products was enhanced, with increase in all countries, overall, by 3.5 (95% CI 3.1 to 3.9) score points. Students improved in all offered modules in each country. Students confirmed their improvement through self-assessment.The course was well received among students and teachers. Barriers included time constraints and access to practical means (equipment availability, room allocation, internet accessibility and affordability). These barriers can be overcome by key enablers such as the support from university leadership and early involvement of the university in the course design.
conclusionsThe course improved students' knowledge on SF medical products. These findings encourage further full implementation of this course in existing curricula beyond the pilot and can inform possible future scale-up. This has a potential for reinforcing the capacity of health systems to protect communities from SF medicines, by empowering all pharmacist across the health systems to intervene.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.