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The Impact of Demographic Characteristics on Vulnerability of Consumers to Counterfeit Drugs in a Developing Country

Abubakr A. Alfadl1, Mohamed Izham B. Mohamed Ibrahim and Mohamed Azmi Ahmad Hassali

Background: Counterfeiting of medicines in developing countries has been reported as a distressing issue. Moreover, although desperate need and drug counterfeiting are linked, no much study has been carried out to cover this area.

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the impact of demographic variables, including age, annual income, working status, education, and gender with respect to increasing or decreasing vulnerability of consumers to counterfeit drugs.

Methods: This article reports on two studies conducted in two Sudanese states, namely Khartoum and Gadaref. In study 1 in-depth qualitative interviews with a purposive sample of knowledgeable policy-makers and community pharmacists were undertaken. Study 2 employed a face-to-face structured interview survey methodology to collect data from 1003 subjects. Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques (ANOVA) were used to evaluate the data.

Results: The paper identified demographic groups who are more vulnerable to counterfeit drugs. Thematic content analysis of the interviews identified difference in vulnerability according to demographic characteristics pertaining to counterfeit drugs. Also a significant difference in purchase intention of counterfeit drugs was supported for all demographic groups (annual income F (4,998)=6.255, p<0.05; working status F (9,993)=2.402, p<0.05; educational level F (3,999)=2.975, p<0.05; gender F (1,1001)=11.595, p<0.05) with exception of age groups.

Conclusion: This study concluded that only the economic status of consumers has a major role in increasing or decreasing vulnerability to counterfeit drugs. As very limited studies have been conducted, in developing countries in particular, to explore purchase behavior toward counterfeit drugs, this current study is hoped to fill that gap.