The study was not expected to raise any significant ethical issues because the methods of study are regularly employed in similar studies in Uganda. The issues studied fall within the regular activities and mandate of the Ministry of Health (MOH), which commissioned the study. However, permission was sought and obtained from district authorities and private drug outlets before the actual survey could be conducted.

Introductory letters by the Director General of Health Services MOH were given to data collectors to present for this purpose.

Confidentiality was ensured for all information collected and no reference is made to specific patients or study units.