New Zealand pharmacy students' knowledge of health, healthcare and medicines issues in developing countries

Objective This study aimed to assess students' knowledge of health, healthcare and medicines in developing countries, as a first step toward developing appropriate teaching materials on these topics. Setting School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, New Zealand. Method A questionnaire was administered to second and third year pharmacy students at the University of Otago, in class time. Key findings Two hundred and three students completed the questionnaire (83% of 245). Students showed awareness of the nature of health problems in developing countries, though they tended to significantly underestimate the extent of these problems, and the extent of differences in life expectancy between the richest and poorest nations. Their knowledge and understanding of medicines issues was variable: 87% correctly indicated that oral rehydration in childhood diarrhoea would save many lives, but nearly half the students did not know that antibiotics could be purchased without a prescription in many developing countries, or thought that they could not. Students indicated considerable interest in working as a pharmacist in a developing country in the future, and in taking courses in international healthcare. New Zealand students tended to exhibit better knowledge of the development level of selected countries, and the extent of significant health problems, but less knowledge of medicines-related issues, and some more negative views of people in developing countries than students from outside New Zealand. Conclusion Students show interest in learning and working in developing countries, but there are gaps in their knowledge about health, healthcare and pharmacy in those countries. Stimulating student's interest and awareness of developing countries may contribute towards addressing the health professional 'brain drain' from developing to developed countries.