Background: Informal pharmaceutical market is common in developing countries due tornconstrained regulation, low awareness and poor infrastructure. In Ethiopia this practice isrngiven little attention. This study was conducted to assess the informal pharmaceuticalsrnmarket and identify factors that contributed to the existence and proliferation of the market inrnremote and gold mining areas of the study. rnMethods: The study used descriptive exploratory qualitative research design. Open marketrnplaces, shops and kiosks were observed. Key Informant Interviews (n=25) and two FGDrn(n=12) with medicine sellers, health professionals and community were conducted. The datarnwas processed and analyzed manually using thematic analysis rnFindings: Wide variety of medicines was found in the market. The medicines were sourcedrnfrom wholesalers, pharmacies, government institutions, private clinics and contraband. Thernexistence of high demand, lack of adequate supply to the formal channel, lack ofrninfrastructure in the remote areas, lack of proper regulation, low awareness and corruptionrnwere identified as main contributing factors to the existence and proliferation of the market.rnConclusion and Recommendations: This study found that informal pharmaceutical practicernis widespread in the area and the community patronizes the practice due to the lack ofrnalternative formal health service. It also found that the formal and informal pharmaceuticalrnmarket is intertwined. The research recommends the provision of needy medicines to thosernwho have no alternative through sustainable supply; access creation and establishment ofrnsatellite health posts as it mitigates the practice through fighting corruption, tighteningrnregulation and awareness creation.