Abstract
BACKGROUND
Malaria, a life-threatening mosquito-borne infectious disease caused by Plasmodium parasites, is still a major public health issue worldwide, particularly in tropical and subtropical climates. According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2019), malaria caused an estimated 229 million infections and 409,000 deaths in 2019, underlining the critical need for improved preventive and treatment efforts. Antimalarial medications are critical in malaria treatment and control, acting as both therapeutic agents for infected individuals and preventive measures for at-risk groups. Drug quality has an impact on treatment effectiveness and safety.Artemether-luminfantrine should not be stored at temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius, and it should be kept away from sunlight and children.
AIM
This study aim at determining the knowledge of pharmacist on drug storage as well as to determine the active pharmaceutical ingredient of sample drugs from the various sample site using a pillscanNir device.
METHOD
Both A descriptive study was carried out in ten (10) community pharmacies in Egor local government area. Self-administered questionnaires were used to collect data and then analyzed with SPSS 21.descriptive analysis were done and frequencies and proportion were used to summarize variables. Also an experimental study was carried out on the antimalarial drugs from the sample site and they were analyzed using a pillscanNir devise and the results were printed in chromatogram form.
RESULTS
From the study,9(90%) of the respondent have good knowledge on regulation guideline governing drugs storage practices in community pharmacies. Absence of required facility 4(40%), lack of power sources 4(40%) and limited knowledge on proper storage guidelines 2(20%) are the obstacles encounter in maintaining appropriate drugs storage in the pharmacy. 10(100%) said they adhere to regulatory guidelines for drugs storage.. From the study, It was observed that 6(60%) of the pharmacies had proper lighting in the pharmacy, 7(70%) had much ventilation in the pharmacy, 8(80%) had working refrigerator , 8(80%) had their shelves arrangement in order, 8(80%) had space in the pharmacy and 9(90%) has their environment clean and dry while 7(70%) have alternatives power source in the community pharmacy.Also,95% of the artemether-Lumifantrine gotten from the pharmacies passed the pillscanNir test.
CONCLUSION
This study has shown that not only did the community pharmacist have good knowledge on proper storage, they also practiced it and that is one of the reasons the drugs were up to standard. However, it is important that pharmacist keep abreast continuously with advancing and better storage condition.
