The paper describes the situation of drugs and drug sources found available at the village level in Thailand. It concludes, from village-survey data (N = 195) and village case studies (N=15), that drugs are available in abundance. A vast variety of drugs, including prescription drugs, are available at various sources, of which the most common ones are grocery stores. The situation reflects the failure of the drug regulation system as well as the influence of commercial pharmaceutical sector in drug provision. This situation hampers attempts to rationalize drug use by consumers.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
1. Van der Geest S.The illegal Distribution of Western Medicines in Developing Countries: Pharmacists, Drug Pedlars, Injection Doctors and Others. A Bibliographic Exploration. Medical Anthropology, Fall. 1982.
2.
2. Self-Care and the Informal Sale of Drugs in South. Cameroon. Soc. Sci. Med.1987;125(.3):293–305.
3.
3. Hardon A, Van Der Geest S, Geering H, Le Grand A, editors. The Provision and Use of Druas in Developing Countries: A review of studies and annotated bibliography. Het Spinhuis, Amsterdam. 1991.
4.
4. Hardon A, Le Grand A.Pharmaceuticals in Communities: Principles, Public Health Consequences and Intervention Strategies. Royal Tropical Institute-Amsterdam. 1993.
5.
5. That Drug is Hiyang to Me: Lay Perceptions of the Efficacy of Drugs in Manila, Philippines. Central Issues in Anthropology. 1992 Vol X.
6.
6. Etkin N.The Negotiation of “Side” Effects in Huasa (Northern Nigeria) Therapeutics. Etkin A, Tan M, editors. Medicines: Meanings & Context. Health Action Information Network / Medical Anthropology Unit University of Amsterdam. 1994
7.
7. Pharmaceutical Anthropology: Perspective for Research and Application. In Van der Geest S., S.R Whyte.The Context of Medicine in Developing Countries. Het Spinhuis Publishers, Amsterdam. 1991:335–8.
8.
8. Pongpisuth J et al. Informal Sector Drug Distribution in the Community Level: A study in Senangkhanikom, Ubolrajthani. Trakarnpuechphol Hospital Ubonrajthani Provincial Medical Office. Unpublished Report. (Thai) 1990.
9.
9. Supatra C et al. Information Sources and Decision Making Process Regarding the Use of Drugs by the People in 4 Villages of Northeastern Thailand. Khonkaen University. Unpublished Report (Thai). 1990
10.
10. Suvit Viboolpholprasert.The Overview of Drug System of Thailand. Unpublished report. Food and Drug Administration. Ministry of Public Health. Bangkok. (Thai)1994
11.
11. Cunningham C E.Thai “injection doctors”: antibiotic mediators. Social Science and Medicine.1970;4:1–24.
12.
12. Reeler A.From Herbs to Injections: A Health-Care System in Transition. Bloem M, Wolffers I.The Impact of Injections on Daily Medical Practice. VU University Press. Amsterdam. 1993:61–4.
13.
13. Le Grand A, Sringemyuang L.Herbal Drugs in Primary Health Care, Thailand: The impact of promotional activities on drug consumption, drug provision, and self-reliance. Amsterdam Royal Tropical Institute. 1989.
14.
14. Finer D, Tomsan G.Essential Drug Information: The story of a workshop. IHCAR Stockholm. 1992:100–14.
