Prevalence estimates of substandard drugs in Mongolia using a random sample survey

To determine the prevalence of substandard drugs in urban (Ulaanbaatar) and rural (selected provinces) areas of Mongolia, samples of 9 common, therapeutically important drugs were collected from randomly selected drug outlets in Ulaanbaatar and 4 rural provinces by “mystery shoppers”. Samples were analyzed by visual inspection, registration status, and biochemical analysis. Samples failing to meet all Pharmacopeia quality tests were consideredsubstandard.In the rural provinces, 69 out of 388 samples were substandard, giving an estimated prevalence of substandard drugs of 17.8% (95%CI:14.1-22.0). There were 85 unregistered samples, giving a prevalence estimate of unregistered drugs of 21.9%. (95% CI: 17.9-26.3). In the urban Ulaanbaatar districts, 112 out of 848 samples were substandard, giving an estimated prevalence of substandard drugs of 13.2% (95%CI: 11.0-15.7). There were 150 unregistered samples, giving a prevalence estimate of unregistered drugs of 17.7% (95%CI:15.2-20.4).In the rural provinces, 35 out of 85 (41.2%) unregistered samples were substandard; whereas 34 out of 303 (11.2%) registered samples were substandard. (p < 0.0001) In the urban districts, 18 out of 150 (12.0%) unregistered samples were substandard, whereas 94 out of 698 registered were substandard. (13.5%) (p = 0.6).The prevalence of substandard and unregistered drugs is higher in rural provinces. There is asignificant association between substandard and unregistered drugs in the provinces but not inthe urban districts. The underlying causes for substandard drugs need to be further investigated in order to help formulate strategies to improve pharmacovigilance and the drugsupply quality in Mongolia

Country report: Pharmacy education and practice in the context of Mongolia

With the decentralisation of the Soviet Union system, Mongolia has gone through many challenges. The pharmaceutical sector has been privatised and over 80% of drugs are imported with Mongolia largely depending on international sources. Pharmacy education was traditionally orientated towards industry and product formulation. Most pharmacy graduates would seek positions in pharmaceutical marketing or industry. This has resulted in a shortage of pharmacists in other sectors. Pharmacy education has been acknowledged to be one of the important issues to be addressed in Mongolia. In order to improve the quality of the education and keep up with international standards, including Japan and the United States of America, the pharmacy curriculum has been revised seven times. A recent revision of the curriculum now includes clinical pharmacy and pharmacy practice. However, little information has been published describing pharmacy education in Mongolia. The information presented in this report may create discussion and critical analysis and planning, and it is hoped to be useful for further modification of pharmacy programmes to achieve desired educational outcomes

Public Awareness and Practices Towards Self-Medication with Antibiotics Among Malaysian Population: Questionnaire Development and Pilot Testing

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