Antimalarial drugs: availability and mode of prescribing in Mukalla, Yemen

Malaria is one of the top health problems in Yemen. This study was done to evaluate the availability and prescribing of antimalarial drugs in Al-Mukalla city, based on the treatment guidelines of the National Malaria Control Programme (NMCP). Chloroquine, quinine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine were the most available and prescribed antimalarial drugs in all 60 pharmacies (government and private) in the city. Of 42 prescriptions analysed, 54.2% did not comply with NMCP guidelines on appropriate dose and duration, especially those prescribed by GPs: 16.7% contained more than 1 antimalarial drug. More efforts are needed to educate physicians about the NMCP treatment guidelines and to deter pharmacies from random selling of antimalarial drugs.