Problems of drug therapy in developing countries

There are a number of differences between industrialised and developing countries in the organisation, availability and requirement for drug therapy, some of which are briefly outlined below. In developing countries, bacterial infections and malnutrition are common, and in tropical regions, parasitic diseases, especially malaria, are major problems requiring drug therapy. Availability is limited by the ability of parents to afford optimal treatment. The introduction of fees-for-service and cost recovery may exclude the poorest from treatment [1]. Across-the-counter prescribing is the norm, and amongst the less educated, knowledge and understanding of therapy is limited.