Title: Self Medication – Questionnaire Based Study for Information Gathering Amongst Community Pharmacists
Authors: Dr Pragatika Dadhich, Dr PramilaYadav, Dr Pradnya Deolekar, Dr Merlyn W. Gomes
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i4.22
Background: For a growing population, pharmacy has become the first and often the only stop in the search for medicine/medical advice. Gathering sufficient information when handling self- medication requests in community pharmacies is an important factor in assisting patients to obtain appropriate health outcomes. Common types of information usually gathered will include patient identity, sign, symptoms, action taken, medical history and current medications being used. Methodology: The primary aim of this study is to assess the opinions of pharmacy employees regarding self-medication, and to examine and summarize their views. The primary objective of this research is to evaluate the pharmacists’ views on self-medication, their perceptions of advertisements for OTC medicines, and their knowledge and awareness of people that purchase OTC medicine. A questionnaire based study was conducted. The questionnaire wasbe distributed to a total of 50 pharmacists. Data was analyzed using number and percentage of total participants (mean +_ and standard deviation) Results & Conclusion: Population falling into the age group between 35yrs to 50 years is more into self -medication (49%, n=418) than any other age group. NSAIDs were the most common drugs that were asked for over the counter (39%, n=333). Previously prescribed by a doctor 384(45.26) was the most commonest reason forself medication.Our results highlighted the need to strengthen communication between patients and pharmacists as well as pharmacist and doctors. This study is aimed to ascertain pharmacist’s opinions regarding the advertising of OTC medicines and its informational value. Keywords Self-Medication, Over-The-Counter, Pharmacists. 1. Krishnan HS, Schaefer M: Evaluation of the impact of pharmacist's advice giving on the outcomes of self-medication in patients suffering from dyspepsia. Pharm World Sci 2000, 22(3):102–108. 2. Blenkinsopp A, Paxton P, Blenkinsopp J: Symptoms in the Pharmacy: A Guide to the Management of Common Illness. 6th edition. West sussex: Wiley-Blackwell; 2009. 3. Azzopardi LM: Validation Instruments for Community Pharmacy: Pharmaceutical Care for the Third Millenium. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press; 2000. 4. Berardi RR, Ferreri SP, Hume AL, Kroon LA, Newton GD, Popovich NG, Remington TL, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ: Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self Care. 16th edition. Washington DC: American Pharmacists Association; 2009. 5. Hussain A, Khanum A. Self-medication among University student of Islamabadh -a preliminary study .Southwestern Med Review. 2008;1(1):14-6. 6. Swalha AF. A descriptive study of self-medication practices among Palestenian medical and non medical University students. Res Social Adm Pharm. 2008;4(2):164-72 7. Hughes, C.M., McElnay, J.C. and Fleming, G.F. (2001) Benefits and Risks of Self-Medication. Drug Safety, 24, 1027-1037. http://dx.doi.org/10.2165/00002018-200124140-00002 8. Sharif, S.I., Ibrahim, H.M.O., Mousli, L. and Waisi, R. (2012) Evaluation of Self-Medication among Pharmacy Stu-dents. American Journal of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 7, 135-140. http://dx.doi.org/10.3844/ajptsp.2012.135.140 9. Self-medication: who benefits and who is at loss? [http://www.markplusinc. com/file/Self_Medication.pdf] 10. Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica ñ Drug Research, Vol. 67 No. 5 pp. 547ñ554, 2010 ISSN00016837 Polish Pharmaceutical Society 11. Watson MC, Hart J, Johnston M, Bond CM: Exploring the supply of non-prescription 12. Medicines from community pharmacies in Scotland . Pharm World Sci 2008, 30:526–535. Abstract
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