6. Beckerleg,S., Lewando-Hundt,G., Eddama,M., El Alem,A., Shawa,R., and Abed,Y. Purchasing a Quick Fix from Private Pharmacies in the Gaza Strip. Social Science & Medicine 1999; 49,11: 1489-1500.

This paper describes a study on the use of drugs carried out in health facilities and private pharmacies the Gaza Strip and considers the demand for pharmaceutical products. In this study, group interviews with health service users and providers in Gaza revealed many health service users reporting an inadequate supply of drugs resulting in the purchasing of drugs in private pharmacies. As a result, a survey of the pattern of utilization of three private pharmacies in three contrasting urban areas within the Gaza Strip was undertaken. Using a questionnaire, data were collected from all customers buying drugs. The results show that variations in the patterns of health seeking behavior were associated with socio-economic status. Adult males were the most frequent customers of all three pharmacies. They were buying medicines for members of their nuclear family more often than for themselves. Overall, pain and influenza were the most commonly reported conditions. The drugs purchased most frequently for women were for reproductive health problems, particularly infertility. Customers of the pharmacy in the relatively prosperous area more commonly purchased drugs, which were prescribed by a private doctor.