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 availabilit and prescribing of antimalarial drugs in Al-Mukalla city, based on the treatment guidelines of the National Malari Control Programme (NMCP). Chloroquine, quinine and sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine were the most availabl and prescribed antimalarial drugs in all 60 pharmacies (government and private) in the city. Of 42 prescriptions Sanalysed, 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 Sabout the NMCP treatment guidelines and to deter pharmacies from random selling of antimalarial drugs.