Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy Information Provided by Patent Medicine Vendors in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, South West Nigeria

Patent medicine vendors play a prominent role in meeting primary healthcare needs in many Nigerian communities, yet their capacity to provide accurate drug safety and efficacy information is often questioned. This study evaluated the quality of safety and efficacy information provided by patent medicine vendors during simulated medicine-seeking encounters in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, South West Nigeria. A mystery shopper methodology was employed, with trained research assistants posing as customers seeking medication for four standardized clinical scenarios: malaria in a child, urinary tract infection, headache, and skin rash. A total of 50 patent medicine vendors were visited. Responses were assessed against a standardized scoring tool developed from NAFDAC and WHO guidelines. Overall accuracy of drug safety information was rated as adequate in only 38 percent of encounters. Correct product recommendation aligned with guidelines occurred in 46 percent of cases. Dosing instructions were incomplete in 62 percent of encounters, and contraindications were rarely mentioned. Only 12 percent of vendors recommended physician consultation for any of the four scenarios. Vendors with formal training from the PCN-vendor accreditation program performed significantly better. These findings highlight important gaps in patent medicine vendor competence and support increased pharmacist supervision and training of patent medicine vendors across Oyo State. Keywords: patent medicine vendors, drug information, Ogbomosho, Oyo State, medicine safety