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Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges
Access to safe and appropriate medications is a critical component of public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Egypt, self-medication and informal pharmaceutical dispensing have become deeply embedded practices shaped by systemic, economic, and cultural factors. This resea...
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| Format: | Thesis |
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AUC Knowledge Fountain
2026
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| _version_ | 1867613431489626112 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author | Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali |
| author_browse | Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali |
| author_facet | Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali |
| author_sort | Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali |
| collection | Thesis |
| description | Access to safe and appropriate medications is a critical component of public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Egypt, self-medication and informal pharmaceutical dispensing have become deeply embedded practices shaped by systemic, economic, and cultural factors. This research explores the complex interplay between self-medication behaviors, pharmaceutical regulation, and healthcare access in Egypt. Through qualitative interviews with policymakers, pharmacists, physicians, industry professionals, and citizens, the research uncovers widespread informal dispensing of prescription-only medicines, driven by high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and high public reliance on pharmacists as primary care providers. Despite the presence of regulatory frameworks, weak enforcement, lack of technological and human resources, and limited public awareness hinder effective governance. The study concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance regulatory enforcement, improve healthcare access, integrate pharmacists into formal care, and strengthen public education, offering a path toward safer and more equitable medication practices in Egypt. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3680 |
| institution | American University in Cairo (Egypt) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:35:59.828Z |
| license_str | Not specified — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| publishDate | 2026 |
| publishDateRange | 2026 |
| publishDateSort | 2026 |
| publisher | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| publisherStr | AUC Knowledge Fountain |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | AUC Knowledge Fountain — bepress |
| spelling | oai:fount.aucegypt.edu:etds-3680 Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali Access to safe and appropriate medications is a critical component of public health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Egypt, self-medication and informal pharmaceutical dispensing have become deeply embedded practices shaped by systemic, economic, and cultural factors. This research explores the complex interplay between self-medication behaviors, pharmaceutical regulation, and healthcare access in Egypt. Through qualitative interviews with policymakers, pharmacists, physicians, industry professionals, and citizens, the research uncovers widespread informal dispensing of prescription-only medicines, driven by high out-of-pocket costs, limited insurance coverage, and high public reliance on pharmacists as primary care providers. Despite the presence of regulatory frameworks, weak enforcement, lack of technological and human resources, and limited public awareness hinder effective governance. The study concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations to enhance regulatory enforcement, improve healthcare access, integrate pharmacists into formal care, and strengthen public education, offering a path toward safer and more equitable medication practices in Egypt. 2026-02-15T08:00:00Z thesis application/pdf https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2624 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3680/viewcontent/Lobna_Shaheen_Thesis.pdf Theses and Dissertations AUC Knowledge Fountain Pharmaceutical Policy Over-the-Counter OTC Self-medication Health Outcomes Pharmacists Self-care Medicines Health Policy Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Public Administration Public Policy |
| spellingShingle | Pharmaceutical Policy Over-the-Counter OTC Self-medication Health Outcomes Pharmacists Self-care Medicines Health Policy Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Public Administration Public Policy Shaheen, Lobna Fawzy Ali Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title | Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title_full | Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title_fullStr | Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title_full_unstemmed | Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title_short | Self-Medication and Pharmaceutical Dispensing in Egypt: Practices, Policies, and Regulatory Challenges |
| title_sort | self medication and pharmaceutical dispensing in egypt practices policies and regulatory challenges |
| topic | Pharmaceutical Policy Over-the-Counter OTC Self-medication Health Outcomes Pharmacists Self-care Medicines Health Policy Pharmacy Administration, Policy and Regulation Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation Public Administration Public Policy |
| url | https://fount.aucegypt.edu/etds/2624 https://fount.aucegypt.edu/context/etds/article/3680/viewcontent/Lobna_Shaheen_Thesis.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shaheenlobnafawzyali selfmedicationandpharmaceuticaldispensinginegyptpracticespoliciesandregulatorychallenges |