ABSTRACT
Introduction: A combination of Artemether-lumefantrine (ALu) is recommended by Tanzania MoHSW as first line ther-apy for uncomplicated malaria while Sulphadoxine–pyrimeth- amine (SP) is recommended only for intermittent preventive treatment during pregnancy (IPTp). Despite the change of the policy, SP is still being dispensed by private medicine outlets for treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Assessing dispensing practice of medicines dispenser’s is therefore crucial.

Materials and Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study; simulated clients were used to capture quantitative data while qualitative data were captured using focus group discussion. The study population was private medicine outlets i.e Pharmacies and Accredited Drug Dis-pensing Outlets (ADDOs) located in Nyamagana and Sengerema District. For quantitative data the whole study had 65 outlets which constituted of 33 ADDOs and 32 Pharmacies while for qualitative data the study constituted 20 dispensers. The coded quantitative data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 20.0) computer analysis software. Practice of dispensers was analyzed using cross-tab-ulation, chi-square and Fisher’s exact test. Qualitative data were manually analyzed using content analysis.

Results: During malaria patient simulation 9.7 % of outlets dispensed ALU to simulated client while 85.5% dispensed SP. Results show that 90.6% of Pharmacies and 80% of ADDOs dispensed SP to simulated client even though SP is reserved for IPTp.

Conclusion: The study concluded that SP is still dispensed for uncomplicated malaria treatment rather than being reserved for IPTp where patient demand for a single dose medicine is one of driving factor for irrational dispensing and use of SP.