Training is a cornerstone of any drug seller initiative. Drug sellers must learn to recognize and manage common health conditions that they are expected to address and to otherwise know when to refer customers to a health facility. Other important skills relate to dispensing, communication, and record-keeping.
By learning how to run a business such as managing stock and finances and tracking sales and profits, shop owners will be in a better position to keep the shop running.
Accredited Drug Dispensing Outlet (ADDO) Dispenser Curriculum Topics
- Laws, regulations, and dispensers ethics
- Good dispensing practices and rational medicines use
- Common medical conditions in the community
- Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS
- Communication skills and counseling
- Child health
| Implementation Activities | Tools/Resources | |
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Summa Foundation assessed the financing and business skills training needs of medicine shops that may participate in the ADDO program and identified potential partners in the microfinance and business training industries.
The Muhimbili University School of Pharmacy, with guidance from the TFDA and SEAM, drafted an ADDO dispenser and shop owner curriculum, together with dispenser and owner training materials and a teacher facilitator manual.
The Muhimbili University School of Pharmacy, with guidance from the TFDA and SEAM, drafted an ADDO dispenser and shop owner curriculum, together with dispenser and owner training materials and a teacher facilitator manual. Personnel possessing the minimum requirement of nurse assistant or above are required to complete a four-week TFDA-approved training course. Trainee competency and training effectiveness are evaluated at the end of the course; those who pass are awarded a TFDA ADDO dispensing certificate. An ADDO dispensers’ reference manual is distributed to students who complete training successfully.
Dispensers’ training covers:
– Laws, regulations, and dispensers ethics.
– Good dispensing practices and rational medicines use.
– Common medical conditions in the community.
– Reproductive health and HIV/AIDS.
– Communication skills and counseling.
– Child health.
MEDA conducted a training needs assessment, then developed and provided a three-day business skills training session for ADDO owners. Training covers basic bookkeeping and financial management, inventory control, record-keeping, and marketing. Attendance at the course is a requirement for all ADDO owners and is also necessary to access the microloans.
TFDA developed training program and curricula for ward inspectors and District Drug Training Committees (DDTCs)
Developed useful job aids (in Swahili) to assist with dispenser supervision.