Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41315822›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

The role of community pharmacy professionals in combating Counterfeit and substandard drugs in the Amhara regional state, Ethiopia.

Gizachew Kassahun Bizuneh, Yeniewa Kerie Anagaw, Abera Dessie Dagnaw, Liknaw Workie Limenh, Derso Teju Geremew, Melese Legesse Mitku, Wondim Ayenew, Ebrahim Abdela Siraj, Mihret Melese, Ashenafi Kibret Sendekie

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

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No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Gizachew Kassahun BizunehDepartment of Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. gizachewkassahun4@gmail.com.
Yeniewa Kerie AnagawDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Abera Dessie DagnawDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Liknaw Workie LimenhDepartment of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Derso Teju GeremewDepartment of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Melese Legesse MitkuDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Wondim AyenewDepartment of Pharmacoepidemiology and Social Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Ebrahim Abdela SirajDepartment of Pharmaceutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Mihret MeleseDepartment of Human Physiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Ashenafi Kibret SendekieDepartment of Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Counterfeit and substandard drug products pose significant public health challenges, affecting millions of people worldwide in both developed and developing countries. These products compromise healthcare systems, reduce treatment efficacy, and endanger patient safety. Therefore, this study assessed strategies to reduce the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs, identify potential factors leading to their circulation and evaluate the role of community pharmacy professionals in combating counterfeit and substandard drugs in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional multi-center survey of community pharmacy professionals in the Amhara region of Ethiopia was conducted over four months, from May to August 2024. Data were collected using a self-administered, pre-tested questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the different variables and are presented in tables and figures. Among the 276 community pharmacy professionals approached, 255 completed the questionnaire, resulting in a response rate of 92.4%. Approximately, 90% of the participants agreed that weak enforcement of drug laws and legislation contributes to the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the country. As a strategy, 95.7% of the participants believed that strict enforcement and proper implementation of drug laws by pharmacy regulatory agencies can help control counterfeit and substandard drugs. Approximately 85.7% of the participants agreed that educating the public about the risks of counterfeit and substandard drugs and protective strategies is crucial in reducing their circulation. Almost all participants (98%) acknowledged the pharmacist's responsibility to purchase medicines from certified drug sources and distributors. and a similar portion of the participants (96.8%) agreed that pharmacists should report counterfeit and substandard drugs to the regulatory officials. The current study revealed that strict enforcement of drug laws, development of the local pharmaceutical industry, educating the public about counterfeit and substandard drugs, and monitoring online sales of drugs can significantly contribute to combating counterfeit and substandard drugs.

Indexed as

Community Pharmacy ServicesCounterfeit DrugsPharmacistsProfessional RoleSubstandard DrugsAdultCross-Sectional StudiesEthiopiaFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPharmaciesSurveys and QuestionnairesCounterfeit DrugsSubstandard DrugsCommunity pharmacy professionalsCounterfeitDrugsEthiopiaStrategiesSubstandard

Identifiers

PMID41315822
PMCPMC12663096

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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