Burden of and factors associated with poor quality antibiotic, antimalarial, antihypertensive and antidiabetic medicines in Malawi (Peer-reviewed)

This paper aimed to assess the prevalence of substandard medicines in Malawi and identify the factors contributing to their presence. A cross-sectional study was conducted across various health facilities and drug outlets in the country. The research focused on four categories of medicines: antibiotics, antimalarials, antihypertensives, and antidiabetics.

The findings revealed a significant prevalence of poor-quality medicines, with antibiotics and antimalarials being the most affected. Factors contributing to the presence of these substandard medicines included the type of health facility, its location, and the source from which the medicines were procured. Notably, private health facilities and drug outlets were more prone to stock poor-quality medicines compared to public health facilities. Additionally, medicines obtained from informal channels presented a higher risk of being substandard.

The study underscores the pressing public health challenge posed by poor-quality medicines in Malawi. It emphasizes the need for rigorous regulatory measures, continuous monitoring, and public awareness campaigns to address this issue.