Objective The project takes its point of departure from the indications revealed by a previous study in Calcutta,reinforced by scattered evidence elsewhere, on the vulnerability of urban populations to over-use and misuse of drugs and medicines. The issue takes on further significance with reference to grups particularly vulnerable to medication, such as pregnant women or very young children. In addition, from a cost perspective, the urban poor, who are least able to pay for expensive drugs are most vulnerable to its promotion and claims of effectiveness. The study will define the typical pharmaceutical consumption pattern of samples of the urban population stratified by socio-economic groups. It will estimate the costs of the prevalent treatment package commonly used for treating diarrhoal diseases in children and define the prevailing promotional practices, prescribing habits and drug consumption patterns of the community. The results of the study would be used to highlight the weaknesses and dangers of current medication patterns in the community, both for the urban poor and the non-poor and (i) to highlight the extent and magnitude of the proportion of family health cure expenditure absorbed by ineffective drugs and medications; (ii) recommend policy directions for re-orienting medical curriculums to improve prescribing habits; (iii) promote the development of specieic protocols and guidelines for pharmacists, health ngos and other public sector health personnel to reinforce good prescribing habits for common illnesses; (iv) promote the results within the governmental health regulatory bodies to encourage review and discussion of the role of medicines in the current health system. In addition, the results of the study will be presented at appropriate conferences and meetings of academic institutions, governmental and international organization forums and to involved non-governmental groups. Fields of science social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical policiescivil societynongovernmental organizationsmedical and health sciencesbasic medicinepharmacology and pharmacypharmaceutical drugs Programme(s) FP3-STD 3 - Specific research and technological development programme (EEC) in the field of the life sciences and technologies for developing countries, 1990-1994 Topic(s) Data not available Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator Université Catholique de Louvain EU contribution No data Address 30,Clos Chapelle-aux-Champs 1200 Bruxelles Belgium See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Council for Social Development India EU contribution No data Address 53,Lodi Estate 110003 New Delhi See on map Total cost No data
