Table 1 Summary of lessons and key policy recommendations

A workshop was held involving stakeholders with experience in the private sector to design key elements of the intervention

To scale-up RDTs and ACT requires the involvement of the districts, NMCP, NDA and development partners, e.g., Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), Malaria Consortium, FIND, Uganda Health Marketing group (UHMG), and community-based civil society organizations

A baseline study noted poor regulation of drug shop practices

NDA should recruit more personnel to register drugs shops and support DADI in the supervision and regulation of drug shops. More personnel should be recruited at district level to assist DADI in supervision of drug shops

A baseline study documented poor record keeping in drug shops

Government to introduce DHIS2 to private health sector in order to address issues of data reporting coverage and to facilitate planning and management of health services

A baseline study noted poor quality of care at drug shops

Conditions should be attached to renewal of licences, mainly: minimum staff qualifications and evidence of continuing medical education

Drug shops were giving injections and antibiotics which are beyond their scope

NDA, DADI and professional associations to intensify regulation and supervision of drugs shops and other private health sector outlets to ensure patient safety

During evaluation of patient outcomes carewas taken not to influence DSV behaviour beyond what was realistic and sustainable

During scale-up RDTs and ACT, explaining the intervention and involving drug shops in the initial design processes generates acceptability and compliance

Community sensitization was an important factor in increasing access to mRDT and ACT at drug shops

Future interventions should use multi-media channels to deliver messages on key interventions. There is need to intensify messages on non-malaria fevers and care-seeking practices

There was poor referral uptake from drug shops because of mistrust between health facilities and drug shops

It is recommend that health workers be involved in training and supervision of the drug shops and in the design of interventions in the private sector

For drug shops to get involved in public health activities there have to be incentives

District health teams and stakeholders who involve drug shops in public health interventions should give DSVs certificates or trophies as signs of motivation