Research Projects

The role of drug sellers in the informal medical markets: an exploratory study for effective interventions
CGSRHR
Year: 2012
IRB Number: 2012-102
Organaisation: BRAC JPGSPH
Drug Sellers Business Model Healthcare Provider Pharmaceuticals Health System Intervention Survey Gis Technology

PI: Nabeel Ashraf Ali

Co PI: Professor Sabina Faiz Rashid, PhD

Objective:In broad terms, this study has three objectives as listed below:

• To explore the role of drug sellers in the community in the context of the existing health
system in order to identify trigger points for intervention.
• To better understand the business model within which the drug sellers work.
• To identify and measure the relative proportions of healthcare providers, both formal and informal, in the study areas through the use of a short survey and GIS technology.

Specific objectives corresponding to each of the general objectives are:

Role as drug sellers:
• Understand drug sellers’ treatment practices, costs, incentives, and referral networks
• Explore their role as first line of healthcare providers
• Consider how best to intervene in the institutional structures and social networks within
which informal drug sellers operate, with the aim of improving dispensing practices

Understanding the business model:
• Explore the role of pharmaceuticals and medical representatives and their impact on the
behaviours and practices of drug sellers in the area of sexual and reproductive health and child health
• Examine the entry costs and set up practices of drug sellers
Identify and measure proportions of IPs (informal providers):
• Identify both formal and informal providers through GIS mapping of the study area
• Provide relative measure of proportions for both formal and informal providers in the study area, understand location, types of providers in field sites

Research Reports

No Research Reports Found