Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Towards Substandard and Counterfeit Medicines Among Medical Doctors in Kabul
Keywords: Attitude, Counterfeit medicines, Cross-sectional study, Health care providers, Knowledge, Practice
Masihullah Omer Mohammadi
Abstract
Substandard and falsified medicines (SFMs) represent a significant global public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income country. Afghanistan, which is extremely dependent on imported pharmaceuticals and has insecure borders, is susceptible to the spread of SFMs. Therefore, this is aimed to assess health care providers’ knowledge, attitude, and practice toward SFMs in Kabul, Afghanistan. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2025 to September 2025 in Kabul, Afghanistan among 384 medical doctors. Data were collected electronically through Google Forms. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Among total 384 participants, 359 (93.5%) correctly identified counterfeit medicines, and 366 (95.3%) recognized substandard medicines. About 335 (87.2%) believed healthcare professionals are being responsible for identifying SFMs and 366 (95.3%) agreed that reporting of such medicines is a legal responsibility. Majority )211 ((54.9%) considered antibiotics as SFMs. While 283 (73.7%) of participants believed SFMs often appear effective like genuine medicines and 266 (69.3%) denied that they are available in most pharmacies. Despite strong awareness, 307 (79.9%) admitted they could not reliably distinguish SFMs from genuine products, and only 136 (35.4%) participants had received relevant training. Medical doctors in Kabul, Afghanistan indicated good awareness and responsible attitudes toward SFMs but reported weak practices in identification and reporting. The findings highlight the urgent need for training programs, improved regulatory systems, and Interprofessional Corporation to reduce the circulation of SFMs in Kabul, Afghanistan.
