Abstract:

Background: Antibiotic is one of the most important group of medications developed by pharmaceutical researchers. The Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA) has been mandated by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) to ensure quality, safety and efficacy of medicines. The study aim at identifying registration status of medicine and perception of dispensers on registration.

Methodology: A descriptive cross sectional study design was used to survey the regulatory authority and pharmacies in Ilemela and Nyamagana district in Mwanza region. 74 pharmacies were involved in the study, pharmaceutical personnel were interviewed using structured questionnaire. A total of 71 brands of selected tracer list of antibiotic were recorded their registration number for TFDA confirmation.

Results: Among 71 pharmaceutical personnel, 25.68% were pharmacist, 48.65% pharmaceutical technicians, 21.62% pharmaceutical assistant, where 62.16% of the population considered TAN number as the only registration indication. Among 71 brands of selected antibiotics 18 (25.35%) had no registration number on their package, 53 (74.65%) had registration number.

Conclusion: There is no clear understanding of registration knowledge among pharmaceutical personnel working in community pharmacies, furthermore regular inspection of drugs by the regulatory authority (TFDA) would decrease the chance of circulating counterfeit drugs. TFDA in collaboration with pharmacy council should provide regular on job training and continuing professional development to cope with changes in pharmaceutical knowledge.