The availability and cost of antibiotics for treating PID in the Central Region of Ghana and implications for compliance with national treatment guidelines

Abstract

The availability and cost of antibiotics for treating pelvic inflammatory disease PID were assessed in 17 drug dispensing outlets in 5 districts of the Central Region, Ghana. The outlets included the dispensaries of 2 regional and 4 district hospitals, 4 privately owned pharmacies and 7 chemical seller shops. The most common antibiotics available, including co trimoxazole, metronidazole, benzylpenicillin, amoxycillin, chloramphenicol and gentamicin, were also the lowest priced drugs. Conversely, the most expensive antibiotics including ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime and spectinomycin, were also the least commonly available. Recommended anti gonococcal antibiotics ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone may not be prescribed if they are not available in the districts.