Objectives The study aims to explore the views of patients of community pharmacists on their consultation experiences, and the possible extension of prescribing rights to pharmacists in Nigeria. Method A questionnaire survey was conducted in April to May 2012 in Jos, Nigeria, among 432 patients of community pharmacists recruited through a convenience sampling strategy. Data collected were entered into SPSS version 16 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) to generate descriptive statistics. Key findings Of the 432 questionnaires administered, 374 were filled and returned, representing a response rate of 86.6%. The results revealed that 342 (91.4%) respondents were satisfied with their consultation visits, and patient education was a vital part of the pharmacists' consultations as 298 (79.7%) patients reported better understanding of their illness after their consultations. Three hundred and forty-six (92.5%) respondents supported an extended role in prescribing for pharmacists in Nigeria. However, 298 (79.7%) respondents were more comfortable with the pharmacist prescribing from a restricted formulary, and 269 (71.9%) of them would prefer to see their doctor if their conditions get worse. Conclusion This study provides an understanding on the experiences of patients during community pharmacists' consultations and patients' views on extending prescribing rights to pharmacists in Nigeria.

PurposeTreatment of hypertension is expensive and cost is one of the reasons for inadequate blood pressure control. Where there are no social cost cushions, the burden is borne by patients. With pervasive poverty and inadequate control, complications are unchecked. Back titration in appropriate circumstances should, therefore, translate to economic benefit. This is an attempt to compute, in economic terms, the benefit of back titration.Patients and methodsThirty-nine patients who entered an antihypertensive back titration program for 12 months and who had been earlier reported on, form the subject of this study. A survey of the cost of antihypertensives in pharmacy outlets in Jos, Nigeria was undertaken. Regimens of antihypertensives that patients were on at the onset and end of the 12 months of back titration were costed in Nigerian currency and compared.ResultsBack titration translated to economic benefit in all patients with a cost reduction varying from 2.3% to 100%. This reflected in reduction in mean daily cost of treatment of N107.09–N54.61.ConclusionThe benefit of antihypertensive back titration apart from psychological relief of lower pill burden and side effect profile is in pharmacoeconomics. This permits greater adherence and prevents morbi-mortality consequences of hypertension. In this study, back titration over 12 months translated to average cost reduction of >50%, making treatment more affordable. In appropriate circumstances, back titration of antihypertensives results in economic relief for patients. This should improve adherence, reduce morbi-mortality and is recommended for wider application.

Background: Tuberculosis remains a major global health problem. It causes ill-health among millions of people each year and ranks alongside the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as a leading cause of death worldwide. The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical and humanistic outcomes of tuberculosis treatment at the directly observed treatment short-course (DOTS) centre in Jos University Teaching Hospital. Methods: Data for clinical outcomes was collected retrospectively at the directly observed treatment shortcouse centre of Jos University Teaching Hospital from a cross-section of patients’ folders who had been treated for tuberculosis at the study site for at least 12months as at 1st April to 30th September 2018 while a validated questionnaire was administered prospectively to a census population of tuberculosis patients still undergoing treatment between 1st October 2018 and 31st March 2019 to determine the humanistic outcomes. A descriptive data analysis was done using SPSS version 23 and proportions were tested using chi squared statistics with significance level set at P<0.05. Results: The study revealed that tuberculosis treatment success in the centre was 76.33% which falls short of WHO standard of minimum of 85%. Patients taking tuberculosis treatment in the centre are satisfied with the services rendered to them and the improvement in their health conditions. Unfriendly attitude of some health care providers in the facility is an area for intervention. Conclusion: Clinical and humanistic outcomes of tuberculosis treatment was found to be satisfactory in the facility owing to the level of treatment success and patient reported satisfaction with facility services and improvement in their health conditions.

Malaria infection is a major public health problem in Nigeria. The present study explored patients’ thoughts and feelings on uncomplicated malaria and its management practices in some primary healthcare (PHC) facilities of Plateau state, Nigeria. An in-depth interview was conducted on patients receiving treatment in some of the facilities in the state, who were recruited through purposive sampling method up to saturation point. All the information was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim before analysis using the principles of thematic content analysis of inductive method. Generally, their views on malaria-related issues were categorised into four main themes based on their relevancies as: patients’ perceptions on malaria infection and anti-malarial drugs, the role of healthcare workers and family during treatment, medications taken and socio-economic-related factors, as well as their general views on healthcare facilities-related factors. The study showed patients’ perceptions of the aforementioned factors as influencing their treatment and management practices of the disease in the study area. Necessary interventions that would improve patients’ quality of management of the disease toward achieving the desired outcome of therapy are recommended.