Prices of medicines for the management of pain, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases in private pharmacies and the national health insurance in Tanzania.

Background: High price is a major challenge limiting access to essential medicines especially among the poorest families in developing countries. The study aims to compare the prices of medicines used in the management of pain, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases in private pharmacies and the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) in Tanzania. Pharmacy prices were also compared with the prices of medicines surveyed nationally by WHO/HAI in 2012.

Prehospital treatment of burns in Tanzania: a mini-meta-analysis.

The present study describes initial burn injury care in Tanzania-materials applied, sources of information, reasons for applying the materials, and time to a health centre-in order to suggest ways to optimize initial care. Eight small studies were conducted in which burn-injured patients were interviewed who had been admitted to referral hospitals in four regions in Tanzania. Most burn injuries in Tanzania occur in the home cooking area, and it was found that the first responders were family members, friends, and neighbours.

Local production of pharmaceuticals in Africa and access to essential medicines: 'urban bias' in access to imported medicines in Tanzania and its policy implications.

Background: International policy towards access to essential medicines in Africa has focused until recently on international procurement of large volumes of medicines, mainly from Indian manufacturers, and their import and distribution. This emphasis is now being challenged by renewed policy interest in the potential benefits of local pharmaceutical production and supply. However, there is a shortage of evidence on the role of locally produced medicines in African markets, and on potential benefits of local production for access to medicines.

Burns in Tanzania: morbidity and mortality, causes and risk factors: a review.

Burn injuries in low and middle income countries still remain a significant health problem, even though numbers of burn injuries in high income countries have decreased showing that such events are not "accidents" but are usually preventable. WHO states that the vast majority (over 95%) of fire-related burns occur in low and middle income countries. Burn injuries are a major cause of prolonged hospital stays, disfigurement, disability, and death in Africa Region.

Prevalence and management of helminthiasis among underfives living with HIV/AIDS at Amana Hospital, Tanzania.

Objective: This was a cross-sectional study intended to assess the prevalence and management of helminthiasis (HL) among underfives living with HIV/AIDS (ULHA).

Methodology: Clinical histories of ULHA were scrutinized for HIV/AIDS status, antiretroviral therapy (ART), HL prevalence, and their management.

Results: About 364 ULHA were studied, 213 (58.

Prevalence and management of intestinal helminthiasis among HIV-infected patients at Muhimbili National Hospital.

Objective: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Muhimbili National Hospital (Tanzania) to determine prevalence of helminthiasis among in-patients with HIV/AIDS.

Methodology: After signing an informed consent form, participants answered a sociodemographic and risk factor questionnaire. Fecal specimens from patients with HIV-infected and uninfected patients were screened for intestinal helminthiasis (IHLs) using coprological methods.

Existence of antimalarial formulations with low bioavailability in Tanzania.

The main objective of this work was to assess the relative bioavailability of two tablet formulations containing sulfadoxine/pyrimethamine (SP) and marketed in Tanzania. Twelve healthy volunteers were randomized to receive a single oral dose of three SP tablets each containing 500 mg sulfadoxine (SDX) and 25 mg pyrimethamine (PYR) in a form of either A (a locally manufactured SP tablet formulation, manufactured by a local pharmaceutical industry in Tanzania) or B (Fansidar), Hoffmann La Roche, Basel, Switzerland, an innovator's SP) after an overnight fasting. Serial blood samples (100 microL) were collected from a finger prick in duplicate up to 10 days and dried on Whatman filter paper.

Intravaginal gels as drug delivery systems.

Recently, there has been a great deal of interest in the design and application of different dosage forms via the vaginal route. Several studies have proven that the vagina is an effective route for drug administration intended mainly for local action, but systemic effects of some drugs also can be attained. The major advantages of this route include accessibility, good blood supply, the ability to bypass first-pass liver metabolism, and permeability to large molecular weight drugs, such as peptides and proteins.