ArticleBMC health services research2024
The remote provision of pharmaceutical products and services by retail pharmacies in Kampala, Uganda; practices and challenges.
Article in BMC health services research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Knowledge, attitudes, and willingness of community pharmacists to provide vaccination services: a web-based cross-sectional survey in Uganda.BMC health services research · 2026Article
- A double-edged sword?: Digitalization, health disparities, and the paradoxical case of e-pharmacy in Ghana.Digital healthArticle
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the demand for remote healthcare services delivery, including remote access to medications. This study explored the practices and challenges associated with remote provision of pharmaceutical products and services in Kampala, Uganda.
methodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2022, enrolling 174 out of 198 sampled retail pharmacies. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire on remote service provision, platforms used, products offered, delivery methods, and challenges faced.
resultsOver 58% of pharmacies provided remote services, primarily through social media (especially WhatsApp) and phone calls. OTCs and POMs were the most commonly dispensed products remotely. Key challenges identified included high internet costs, labor shortages, poor internet quality, and a lack of specific regulations for remote provision of pharmaceutical products and services.
conclusionThe proportion of retail pharmacies providing pharmaceutical products and services remotely is significant in Kampala, but they face challenges that need to be addressed. Regulations are crucial to ensure responsible dispensing practices and rational medicine use. Addressing internet affordability and quality, staffing issues, and delivery logistics is essential for sustainable and effective remote pharmaceutical products and services.
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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.