Objectives: To understand the pattern of dispensing of OTC drugs by community pharmacists and to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of second year MBBS students, interns and community pharmacists about over the counter drug usage.

Methods: A prospective, cross sectional, observational, questionnaire based study was conducted among community pharmacists, second year MBBS students and interns. A questionnaire comprising of 20 questions about OTC drugs was distributed to them.

Results: It has been shown in our study that on an average 50% participants had knowledge about definition of OTC drugs, the deciding authority of OTC drugs and their misuse. 56% second year MBBS students and 38% of pharmacists answered that adverse drug reactions due to OTC drugs should be reported to the doctors. While 36% pharmacists were not aware about the reporting of adverse drug reactions. Analgesics were the most commonly used class of drugs followed by antipyretics and antacids. 74% medical students and 62% interns preferred OTC drugs due to ease and convenience while 62% pharmacists opined that patients preferred OTC drugs due to lack of time to consult  the doctor.

Conclusion: Present study shows that analgesics were the most commonly used class of drug followed by antipyretics and antacids.It has been observed in our study that lack of time to consult the doctor, the ease and convenience of OTC drugs are the most common reasons for their increasing use. Greater vigilance for adverse reactions is needed and the reporting system should be widened to include pharmacists.

Keywords: Over the counter (OTC) drugs, Knowledge, Attitude, Practice

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Dr. Rohini P. Jagtap

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