Drug information and sale practices in some pharmacies of Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Three researchers posed as clients in 28 pharmacies in the capital of Sri Lanka. Tetracyclin, a prescription-only drug, could be obtained in all pharmacies without a doctor's prescription. No information was provided with its sale. Personnel in the pharmacies had no pharmaceutical qualification and knew little about the products they sold. They obtained most of their drug-related information from commercial/sales representatives.