The availability and cost of antibiotics for treating PID in the Central Region of Ghana and implications for compliance with national treatment guidelines.

ABSTRACT

PIP: This paper assessed the availability and cost of antibiotics used for treating pelvic inflammatory disease in 17 drug-dispensing outlets in five districts of the Central Region, Ghana. The outlets included the dispensaries of 2 regional and 4 district hospitals, 4 privately owned pharmacies, and 7 chemical seller shops. The most common antibiotics available, including cotrimoxazole, metronidazole, benzylpenicillin, amoxycillin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin, were also the lowest priced drugs. In contrast, the most expensive antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cefuroxime, and spectinomycin, were also the least commonly available. Recommended anti-gonococcal antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, ceftriaxone) may not be prescribed if they are not available in the districts.