scholarly journals Over-the-Counter Sale of Antibiotics in India: A Qualitative Study of Providers’ Perspectives across Two States

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 1123
Author(s):  
Anita Kotwani ◽  
Jyoti Joshi ◽  
Anjana Sankhil Lamkang
Keyword(s):  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Indian States ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
The Government

India has one of the highest rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) worldwide. Despite being prescription drugs, antibiotics are commonly available over-the-counter (OTC) at retail pharmacies. We aimed to gain insight into the OTC sale of antibiotics at retail pharmacies and to elucidate its underlying drivers. We conducted face-to-face, in-depth interviews using convenience sampling with 22 pharmacists and 14 informal dispensers from 36 retail pharmacies across two Indian states (Haryana and Telangana). Thematic analysis revealed that antibiotics were often dispensed OTC for conditions e.g., fever, cough and cold, and acute diarrhea, which are typically viral and self-limiting. Both Access and Watch groups of antibiotics were dispensed for 1–2 days. Respondents had poor knowledge regarding AMR and shifted the blame for OTC practices for antibiotics onto the government, prescribers, informal providers, cross practice by alternative medicine practitioners, and consumer demand. Pharmacists suggested the main drivers for underlying OTC dispensing were commercial interests, poor access to public healthcare, economic and time constraints among consumers, lack of stringent regulations, and scanty inspections. Therefore, a comprehensive strategy which is well aligned with activities under the National Action Plan-AMR, including stewardship efforts targeting pharmacists and evidence-based targeted awareness campaigns for all stakeholders, is required to curb the inappropriate use of antibiotics.

scholarly journals Over the counter drugs: awareness and practice among the adults of Mushahar community

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 14-18
Author(s):  
Sanam Mahato ◽  
Shanti Bajracharya
Keyword(s):  
Strong Association ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
P Value ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Medical Person ◽  
The Government

Background: Over-the-counter drugs are the medicines that are sold without prescription of med­ical person. Though over-the-counter drugs are believed to be relatively safe, their inappropriate use could have serious implications. The aim of the study was to assess the awareness and practice on over-the-counter drugs among the Mushahar adults of Nawalparasi district, Nepal. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 102 respondents. Non-proba­bility purposive sampling technique was used to select the sample using semi-structured question­naire. Data was collected through face to face exit interview. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics were used for analyzing the data. Results: Majority (91.2%) of the respondents knew that over-the-counter drugs are the unpre­scribed drugs by medical person and majority (95.1%) of the respondents used in case of fever and 83.3% of the respondents used because of easy accessibility More than half (52.9%) of the respondents had practiced over-the-counter drugs at least once within the first six months of data collection. The most preferred over-the-counter drugs were analgesics i.e 44.4%. On analyzing, there found a strong association between awareness level on demographic variables of educa­tional status and occupation with the consumption of over-the-counter drugs as p value was <0.05. Conclusions: Study revealed that people use over-the-counter drugs because of easily availability and the most commonly used drugs were analgesics. So, different awareness programmes to the community and timely monitoring and intervention from the government is needed to prevent the rampant of over the counter drugs.

The Effects of Four Label Design Parameters on Perceived Reliability, Efficacy and Intent to Purchase of Over-the-counter Medication

1998 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 546-549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc L. Resnick
Keyword(s):  
Medical Care ◽  
Prescription Drugs ◽  
Herbal Remedies ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Medical Needs ◽  
Intent To Purchase ◽  
Counter Medication ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Cost

The cost of medical care has been skyrocketing for many years. One solution being promoted by both the government and medical industry is to increase the effectiveness and prevalence of self care and prevention. By managing for their own medical needs, patients can significantly reduce the cost of their medical care by replacing expensive prescription drugs with over-the-counter (OTC) products. The establishment of the Office of Alternative Medicine by the National Institutes of Health has legitimized the inclusion of herbal remedies in this plan. However, the labeling guidelines for OTC products are vague and under constant debate. This research evaluates the effects of several label content parameters regarding indication and effectiveness claims. Subjects were provided with labels for fictitious herbal and chemical medical products and asked to report their perceptions of the reliability of the claim, the products' effectiveness, and their likelihood of purchasing the product. Parameters included the originator of the claim (FDA, doctor groups, Harvard University and athletes), usability factors, product type (chemical, herbal), and disorder. The results have significant implications for the development of labeling guidelines for consumer-focused products.

scholarly journals Knowledge and behavior of consumers towards the non-prescription purchase of antibiotics: An insight from a qualitative study from New Delhi, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 2206
Author(s):  
Anita Kotwani ◽  
Jyoti Joshi ◽  
Anjana S. Lamkang ◽  
Ayushi Sharma ◽  
Deeksha Kaloni
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government ◽  
And Behavior

Background: In Low-and Middle-Income Countries, including India, consumers often purchase antibiotics over-the-counter (OTC) from retail pharmacies. This practice leads to the inappropriate use of antibiotics in the community which is an important driver for the development of antimicrobial resistance. A better understanding of consumers’ views towards this grave public health concern is critical to developing evidence-based intervention programs for awareness among the general population. Objective: To explore knowledge, practice and, behavior of consumers towards antibiotics, antibiotic use, antimicrobial resistance, purchasing behavior of consumers for antibiotics, and to gain insight which will help in developing evidence-based policy interventions. Methods: 72 in-depth consumer interviews were conducted in all 11 districts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results:  Our study found that retail pharmacies were the first point of consultation for common ailments for patients/consumers once home remedies failed; they were largely unaware of the threat of antimicrobial resistance. Consumers’ knowledge of antibiotic use and about antimicrobial resistance was low, they used old prescriptions, and bought antibiotics OTC to save time and money.  Despite the presence of regulations constituted to regulate the sale of antibiotics by the Government and the implementation of national campaigns, the practice of self-medication and behaviors such as OTC purchase, non-adherence to prescribed antibiotics was prevalent. Consumers perceive that antibiotics provide quick relief and accelerate the curing process and retail pharmacy shops try to protect their retail business interests by honoring old prescriptions and self-medication for antibiotics. Conclusions: The lack of awareness and insufficient knowledge about what antibiotics are and issues such as antimicrobial resistance or antibiotic resistance resulted in misuse of antibiotics by consumers. Limited access to public healthcare and affordability of private healthcare are factors that contribute towards the self-medication/OTC purchase of antibiotics. The regular misuse of antibiotics through irrational use reinforces the need for strong enactment of strategies like continuous community awareness campaigns. Mitigation efforts should focus upon educating consumers continuously and sustainably for the understanding of antibiotic misuse, antimicrobial resistance, and promote better compliance with regulations.

scholarly journals Use of antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance in Nepal: a nationwide survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Komal Raj Rijal ◽  
Megha Raj Banjara ◽  
Binod Dhungel ◽  
Samarpan Kafle ◽  
Kedar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Health Centers ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Inappropriate Use ◽  
Knowledge Attitude And Practice

AbstractNepal suffers from high burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to inappropriate use of antibiotics. The main objective of this study was to explore knowledge, attitude and practices of antibiotics uses among patients, healthcare workers, laboratories, drug sellers and farmers in eight districts of Nepal. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and July 2017. A total of 516 individuals participated in a face-to-face interview that included clinicians, private drug dispensers, patients, laboratories, public health centers/hospitals and, livestock and poultry farmers. Out of 516 respondents, 62.8% (324/516) were patients, 16.9% (87/516) were clinicians, 6.4% (33/516) were private drug dispensers. A significant proportion of patients (42.9%; 139/324) thought that fever could be treated with antibiotics. Majority (79%; 256/324) of the patients purchased antibiotics over the counter. The knowledge of antibiotics used among patients increased proportionately with the level of education: literate only [AOR = 1.4 (95% Cl = 0.6–4.4)], versus secondary education (8–10 grade) [AOR = 1.8 (95% Cl = 1.0–3.4)]. Adult patients were more aware of antibiotic resistance. Use of antibiotics over the counter was found high in this study. Knowledge, attitude and practice related to antibiotic among respondents showed significant gaps and need an urgent effort to mitigate such practice.

Peningkatan Pengetahuan Calon Pengantin Melalui Konseling ASI Eksklusif di Kecamatan Darul Imarah Aceh Besar

2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-42
Author(s):  
Agus Hendra Al-Rahmad
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Exclusive Breastfeeding ◽  
Action Plan ◽  
Scaling Up ◽  
Random Assignment ◽  
Nutrition And Health ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Child Stunting ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Breastfeeding Counseling

Background : Scaling Up Nutrition movement is a global effort to strengthen our commitment and accelerating action plan to improve nutrition, particularly the handling of nutrition in the first 1,000 days of life is exclusive breastfeeding and it until 24 months. One of the way is with exclusive breastfeeding counselling that can reduce stunting. The counseling is addressed to brides who need special attention in improving the nutrition and health. Objective : The aim of research to improve knowledge about exclusive breastfeeding counseling the bride through the use of leaflets. Method : This quasi-experimental study was a sample of 30 person a brides with non-random assignment, the variable a knowledge obtained through interviews using questionnaires while the method of counseling does face to face with an exclusive breastfeeding leaflet. The data was analyzed by dependent t-test. Result : The results showed exclusive breastfeeding counseling can improve knowledge bride (p= 0,000) with a mean difference is 6,13 and a deviation is 3,71. Conclusion : Increase of knowledge among ‘bride-to be’ about exclusive breastfeeding could be improved through the use of exclusive breastfeeding leaflet. Each health center must be in collaboration with Office of Religious Affairs to have exclusive breastfeeding counseling, and set one of the priority programs in the prevention of child stunting.   Keywords: Bride, counseling, knowledge of exclusive breastfeeding

Environmental Degradation in the Ikorodu Sub-Urban Lagos - Lagoon Coastal Environment, Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shakirudeen Odunuga ◽  
Samuel Udofia ◽  
Opeyemi Esther Osho ◽  
Olubunmi Adegun
Keyword(s):  
Anthropogenic Activities ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Biodiversity Loss ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Coastal Environment ◽  
Resource Exploitation ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
Awareness Campaigns ◽  
The Government ◽  
State Of The Environment

Introduction:Human activities exert great pressures on the environment which in turn cause environmental stresses of various intensities depending on the factors involved and the sensitivity of the receiving environment.Objective:This study examines the effects of anthropogenic activities along the sub-urban lagoon fragile coastal ecosystem using DPSIR framework.Results:The results show that the study area has undergone a tremendous change between 1964 and 2015 with the built up area increasing to about 1,080 ha (17.87%) in 2015 from 224 ha (1.32%) in 1964 at an average growth rate of 16.78ha per annum. The nature of the degradation includes an increasing fragility of the ecosystem through the emergence and expansion of wetlands, flooding and erosion as well as a reduction in the benefits from the ecosystem services. Population growth, between 2006 and 2015 for Ikorodu LGA, estimated at 8.84% per annum serves as the most important driving force in reducing the quality of the environment. This is in addition to Pressures emanating from anthropogenic activities. The state of the environment shows continuous resource exploitation (fishing and sand mining) with the impacts of the pressures coming from water pollution, bank erosion, biodiversity loss and flooding. Although there has been a strong policy formulation response from the government, weak implementation is a major challenge.Recommendation:The study recommends public awareness campaigns and the implementation of existing policies to ensure a sustainable sub-urban lagoon coastal environment..

scholarly journals Needs of lifelong learning for professionalisation of industrial workers: Opportunities and challenges

2019 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-73
Author(s):  
Zarina Kassim ◽  
Nor Aishah Buang ◽  
Lilia Halim
Keyword(s):  
Lifelong Learning ◽  
Tertiary Education ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Personal Satisfaction ◽  
Industrial Workers ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Perceived Needs ◽  
Human Resource Department ◽  
The Government ◽  
Learning Institutions

Only 23% of Malaysian workforce has tertiary education compared to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries such as Singapore and Finland that have tertiary education with an average of 28% and around 35%, respectively. This study investigates perceived needs lifelong learning programmes for professionalisation among the workers. A survey was conducted on workers from the industries. Most of the workers felt that lifelong learning programmes provide personal satisfaction. In terms of perceived needs, workers from higher positions in industries need lifelong learning programmes to get better positions and better salaries as compared to those with lower positions in industries to get better job and education. Both groups have different preferences for means of learning whether face-to-face or online learning. The implications are that the government has to change their policy in terms of requirement for these companies to register with the Human Resource Department Fund so that their workers be subsidised for attending lifelong learning programmes and to encourage the participation of public higher learning institutions for providing online and weekend lifelong learning programmes to the workers.

scholarly journals Migrants’ and Natives’ Attitudes toward Public Healthcare Provision in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Verena Seibel ◽  
Jeanette A J Renema
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Welfare States ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Healthcare Provision ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Socialization Processes ◽  
The Government ◽  
Migrant Groups ◽  
European Welfare States

Abstract Public healthcare is still one of the main pillars of European welfare states, despite the increasing number of migrants, we know little about migrants’ attitudes toward healthcare. We used recent data from the MIFARE survey and compared natives with a variety of nine migrant groups living in Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, focusing on migrants’ preferred level of governmental involvement and their satisfaction with public healthcare. We found that, compared to natives, migrants held the government less responsible for providing healthcare while expressing a higher level of satisfaction. Whereas health differences among migrants and natives did not explain this ethnic gap, we found that these ethnic gaps are moderated by socialization processes and knowledge of healthcare rights.

scholarly journals Towards the Development of Sustainable Tourism in Pakistan: A Study of the Role of Tour Operators

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 4902
Author(s):  
Zia Ullah ◽  
Rana Tahir Naveed ◽  
Atta Ur Rehman ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Miklas Scholz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Tourism ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Least Developed Countries ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
The Government ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Sole Criterion ◽  
Depth Interviews

The literature on sustainable tourism is scant, particularly in the least developed countries. Very few studies touch upon the concept and no holistic theoretical or conceptual frameworks around the idea of sustainable tourism have been formulated. This study aims at exploring the role of tour operators in developing sustainable tourism in Pakistan and how the tour operators (TOs) conceive their role in this regard. TOs were reached through phone calls, emails, and virtual sources as face-to-face interviews were not possible due to COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on travel by the government. In-depth interviews were conducted to gather data. Results suggest that the TOs although realize the importance of social, environmental, and economic dimensions of tourism on the communities but have no management systems in place to cater accordingly. There are no incentives in place by the government facilitate TOs to design and implement such systems. The TOs do not select a destination based on Global Sustainable Tourism Council criterion, but rather the selection of destination is mostly demand-based and profit-oriented. The study suggests that corporate profit motive is the sole criterion for decision making and is one of the major causes impeding sustainable tourism in Pakistan. The role of TOs in developing sustainable tourism is vague as the TOs do not have any systems in place to implement sustainable models. The study recommends that efforts need to be put in place to incentivize sustainable tourism in Pakistan and proper laws should be set forth by the authorities to comply by the TOs. The role of TOs is important and understood, however, there is a need to put proper systems in place.

scholarly journals Student and educator perspectives on virtual institutional introductory pharmacy practice experience (IPPE)

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar A. Almohammed ◽  
Lama H. Alotaibi ◽  
Shatha A. Ibn Malik
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacy Practice ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Virtual Training ◽  
Care Experience ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Practice Experience ◽  
Face To Face Learning ◽  
The Government

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic has required governments around the world to suspend face-to-face learning for school and university students. Colleges of pharmacy are faced with the challenge of training students in hospitals that are under considerable pressure at this time. The government of Saudi Arabia has moved all classes and training online to limit the spread of the virus. This study describes the experience of the Introductory and Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE and APPE) students and preceptors engaged in the virtual IPPE training. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe and appraise the implemented virtual IPPE training from the experiences of IPPE and APPE students, and their preceptor. The IPPE students described their experiences in close-ended questionnaires, while APPE students in open-ended questionnaires, and the preceptor described the experiences in narrative. The study focused on highlighting the advantages, opportunities, challenges, and shortcomings of the virtual training. Results Two preceptors and seven APPE students participated in the preparation and administration of the virtual training. The IPPE students’ experiences, based on 87 respondents, were mostly positive. Although IPPE students enjoyed the time flexibility that allowed the learning of new skills and reflection on previous experiences, 15% experienced difficulty finding quiet places with a reliable internet connection or had difficulty working on team-based activities. Moreover, some were anxious about the lack of adequate patient-care experience. On the other hand, the APPE students found the experience enriching as they gained experience and understanding of academic workflow, gained skills, and overcame the challenges they faced during this virtual training experience. Conclusions Future training programs should be organized to overcome the challenges and to maximize the benefits of training experiences. Schools of pharmacy may benefit from the training materials constructed, prepared, and administered by APPE students to improve IPPE students’ learning experiences and outcomes.

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