| Abstract: | This study was aimed assessing the situation of deceptive trademark infringements in
pharmaceutical business and assess the ethical valuation of the business in the retail outlets in
the context of Bole sub city, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Besides, the assessment of perceived effect
on prescriptions and patients was covered in the study. A descriptive type of study was adapted
with the application of both qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of 40 pharmaceutical
retail outlets and 40 members of these pharmaceutical retail outlet management and dispensers
were involved in the study as respondents. The selection of the retail outlets was made following
a systematic random sampling technique while that of the selection of the staff was done via
purposive sampling technique. In addition, existing policies were reviewed as source of data for
the study. Semi structured questionnaire, interview guide, document review checklist and
observation checklist were used to collect data on the variables of the study. The finding of the
study revealed Ethiopia has placed sound policy and guidelines to control infringed
pharmaceutical products; infringed pharmaceutical products sale is common in the retail
outlets; and it does have some level of effect on prescription and negative effect on patients. It
also indicated as some of the dispensers think it is ethical to engage in such trade though most of
the dispensers reported as they think differently. As a way forward to address the problem and
protect patients, recommendations are forwarded. These include, assuring the availability of
drugs in the market with a fair price and make a strict control on distribution. It is also
recommended that FMHACA has to play the leadership role in assuring the availability of the
drugs and the effectiveness of the control system. |
