This study investigated unlicensed drug outlets� practices for the management of malaria in the rural district of Butaleja, Uganda. A\nqualitative design using semistructured interviews was used. Interviews were recorded, translated, transcribed, and analyzed using\nthematic analysis.Atotal of 75 vendors, representing 85%of the outlets in the study area,were interviewed.Most of the vendorswere\nassociated with a drug shop type of outfit. About three-quarters reported having completed some level of postsecondary education,\nbut just one-tenth of the vendors had qualifications that made them eligible to apply for a license to operate a drug shop. While\nmost outlets stocked at least one type of antimalarial, only about one-quarter stocked an artemisinin-based combination therapy\n(ACT), one-quarter expressed a preference for ACTs, and less than one-tenth attested to firmly adhering to the national malaria\ntreatment guidelines on dispensing ACTs as the first-line option. In contrast, nine out of 10 vendors stocked quinine and well over\na third stocked antimalarials no longer recommended, such as chloroquine and sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine. Given the ongoing\ngap between the national malaria policy and unlicensed drug outlet practices, this study calls for greater engagement of unlicensed\nvendors to improve the management of childhood malaria.
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