Study of the presentation of traditional medicines delivered by traditional health practitioners in the cascades health region, Burkina Faso

Abstract

Introduction: Compliance with presentation requirements is one of the conditions for the granting of marketing
authorization (MA) for medicines derived from traditional pharmacopoeia (MDTP). The objective of this study was
to evaluate the presentation of MDTPs sold by traditional health practitioners (THP) in the Cascades health region
of Burkina Faso.
Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study that consisted of an analysis of the presentations of THP
drugs in accordance with the requirements of Order No. 2005-231MS/CAB of July 6, 2005, on the conditions for
issuing MA for MDTPs in Burkina Faso.
Results: Twenty-six (26) traditional practitioners and 179 MDTPs were identified. The powder form was
predominant with 61.45%. The main primary packaging was the plastic bag (60.89%). Fifteen point sixty-four
percent (15.64%) of these packagings were obtained by recovery of previously used packagings. Thirty-six point
thirty-one percent (36.31%) of the MDTPs were unlabelled. The remaining 63.69% had incomplete labelling and
only 08 drugs (4.47%) met at least 11 of the 14 recommended labelling parameters.
Conclusion: THP did not comply with MDTPs packaging requirements. It is therefore necessary to strengthen their
support to improve the presentation of MDTPs that are sold to the population.