PERCEPTION OF HOSPITAL PHARMACISTS DISPENSING PERSONNEL OF THE ESSENTIAL DRUGS CONCEPTS (EDC) IN ZIMBABWE

The perception or hospital pharmacists/dispensing personnel on the ess ential drugs concept in Zimbabwe was prospectively evaluated. To this end, 100 ad hoc questionnaires were mailed to the health professional cadre around the country in October 1989.54 health centres responded a nd these consisted of 4 central hospitals, 3 provincial, 22 general an d district, 14 rural hospitals, 7 private hospitals/clinics and 4 city polyclinics. These health centres serve an estimated population of 6 million people. Of the dispensing personnel, 22% had been trained in t heir respective health professions after 1983, i.e. after the introduc tion of the essential drugs concept. 65% of the respondents had a work ing knowledge of the essential drugs concept. Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians made up 59% of the dispensing personnel, while nurses acc ounted for 32%. Significantly all respondents used the Essential Drug List for Zimbabwe hand book and they thought the concept is a good one .