THE IMPACT OF DRUG COST ON MEDICATION ADHERENCE IN NIGERIA: A PERCEPTION AMONG PHARMACISTS

Victor Chikaodiri Amaechi; Evaristus Jideofor Ugboma; Onyeka Milicent Asumah; Fadilulahi Ayokunle Usman; Chimaobi Jude Nwiyi; Chiagozie Urom Urom-Ndubuisi; Chibuike Solomon Igwe; Doris Mesomachukwu Obi; John Olusegun Okunade; Deborah Okon

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1148

Victor Chikaodiri Amaechi Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Evaristus Jideofor Ugboma Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Management, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
Onyeka Milicent Asumah Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Madonna University, Nigeria.
Fadilulahi Ayokunle Usman Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Yaba, Lagos, Nigeria.
Chimaobi Jude Nwiyi Department of Pharmacy, Military Hospital Lagos, Nigeria.
Chiagozie Urom Urom-Ndubuisi Department of Pharmacy, Romec Hospital, Afikpo, Ebonyi state, Nigeria.
Chibuike Solomon Igwe Chemonics International, USA
Doris Mesomachukwu Obi Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical technology, Odumegwu Ojukwu University Anambra state, Nigeria.
John Olusegun Okunade School of Environmental and Sustainability (SEAS), University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI, USA.
Deborah Okon Campbellsville University, USA.

10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1148

Keywords:

Drug cost, medication adherence, Nigeria, pharmacists

Abstract

Background: Given Nigeria's huge economic instability, medication expenses may significantly impact medication adherence, creating a barrier to the treatment of various ailments. The study aimed to assess pharmacists' perceptions about the impact of drug costs on medication adherence in Nigeria.

Methods: The study was cross-sectional among practicing pharmacists across Nigeria. The 25 items semi-structured questionnaire was administered online using simple random sampling with the snowballing technique to recruit the pharmacists for the study. The collected data was coded into Microsoft Excel 2016 and subsequently analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize the data, providing an overview of the demographic characteristics and key findings. Inferential statistics, specifically Pearson’s Chi-square test, were employed where applicable to determine the relationships between variables.

Results: Total 161 pharmacists responded to the survey, giving an 80.5% response rate. The respondent rate was mainly young pharmacists (20–30 years old; 82.6%) and predominantly male (51.6%). Almost all the respondents possess only a bachelor of pharmacy degree (91.9%). Total 90% have practiced for 5 years or less, mostly in community settings (60.9%). Generic substitution has been cited as the most important technique to manage drug costs. Non-adherence due to cost was associated with practice settings, whereas adherence counseling was correlated with gender and setting of practice. All differences were not statistically significant at p<0.05.

Conclusions: Most participants believe that the cost of medication is a major barrier to accessing quality healthcare and drives massive non-adherence among those who can barely afford the medicines. Implementing a comprehensive national strategy to enhance the healthcare system, expand the reach of the national health insurance program, and promote cooperation among healthcare practitioners will result in improved clinical outcomes for patients.