scholarly journals Future Pharmacists’ Opinions on the Facilitation of Self-Care with Over-the-Counter Products and Whether This Should Remain a Core Role

Pharmacy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 132
Author(s):  
Lezley-Anne Hanna ◽  
Alana Murphy ◽  
Maurice Hall ◽  
Rebecca Craig
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Contraception ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Single Institution ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Otc Medicines ◽  
Practice Methods ◽  
Identifiable Data

Background: The aim was to investigate pharmacy students’ views on the role of the pharmacist in facilitating self-care with over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, particularly in light of new roles, and establish personal practice. Methods: Final year pharmacy students at Queen’s University Belfast were invited to participate. Data were collected via a pre-piloted questionnaire, distributed at a compulsory class (only non-identifiable data were requested). Descriptive statistics were performed, and non-parametric tests were employed for inferential statistical analysis (responses by gender). Results: The response rate was 87.6% (78/89); 34.6% (27/78) males and 65.4% (51/78) females. Over a third [34.6% (27/78)] reported using OTC medicines about once a month. All appreciated the importance of an evidence-based approach to optimize patient care. Most [(96.2% (75/78)] deemed OTC consultations should remain a fundamental responsibility of pharmacists and 69.2% (54/78) thought OTC consultations have the potential to be as complex as independent pharmacist prescribing. Females felt more confident recommending OTC emergency contraception than males (p = 0.002 for levonorgestrel and p = 0.011 for ulipristal acetate). Many [61.5% (48/78)] considered more medicines should not be deregulated from prescription-only status. Conclusions: Data from this single institution suggests that enabling self-medication is an important part of practice but there were confidence issues around deregulations.

The Role of Drugs in Self-Care

1988 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 175-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Joel Coons ◽  
William F. McGhan
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Illness Behavior ◽  
The Self ◽  
Care Process ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Self Reliance

This article provides an overview of self-care and explores the role of self-medication within the self-care process. A model of illness behavior is described which includes the various courses of action that consumers may undertake when they experience a symptom or deviation from health. Reasons behind the trend toward self-care are presented along with information on the extent of this phenomenon. Self-medication is described as a response to symptoms which involves the use of nonprescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It has been estimated that at least seventy-five percent of all illnesses and injuries are initially treated through self-care and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. It is suggested that the re-emergence of these forms of self-reliance is allowing individuals to retrieve some of the control that has been assumed by health-care professionals.

scholarly journals Regulatory standards and processes for over-the-counter availability of hormonal contraception and drugs for medical abortion in five countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Ammerdorffer ◽  
Mark Laws ◽  
Arinze Awiligwe ◽  
Florence Erb ◽  
Wallada Im-Amornphong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Health System ◽  
Emergency Contraception ◽  
Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Medical Abortion ◽  
Health System Strengthening ◽  
World Health ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Regulatory Status

AbstractThe World Health Organization 2019 WHO consolidated guideline on self-care interventions for health: sexual and reproductive health and rights includes recommendations on self-administration of injectable contraception, over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraception and self-management of medical abortion. A review of the regulatory status of these two self-care interventions can highlight processes required to ensure that the quality of the medicines and safety of individuals are safeguarded in the introduction and scale-up in countries. This review outlines the legal regulatory status of prescription-only medicine (POM) and OTC contraceptives, including emergency contraception, and drugs for medical abortion in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia using information obtained from internet searches, regulatory information databases and personal contacts. In addition, the review examines whether the national medicines regulatory authorities have documented procedures available to allow for a change in status from a POM to OTC to allow for increased accessibility, availability and uptake of self-care interventions recommended by WHO. Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon have a documented national OTC list available. The only contraceptive product mentioned in the OTC lists across all five countries is ellaOne (ulipristal acetate for emergency contraception), which is publicly registered in Lebanon. None of the five countries has an official documented procedure to apply for the change of POM to OTC. Informal procedures exist, such as the ability to apply to the national medicines regulatory authority for OTC status if the product has OTC status in the original country of manufacture. However, many of these procedures are not officially documented, highlighting the need for establishing sound, affordable and effective regulation of medical products as an important part of health system strengthening. From a public health perspective, it would be advantageous for licensed products to be available OTC. This is particularly the case for settings where the health system is under-resourced or over-stretched due to health emergencies. Readiness of national regulatory guidelines and OTC procedures could lead to increased access, availability and usage of essential self-care interventions for sexual and reproductive health and rights.

scholarly journals Access to Medicines via Non-Pharmacy Outlets in European Countries—A Review of Regulations and the Influence on the Self-Medication Phenomenon

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 123
Author(s):  
Patrycja Oleszkiewicz ◽  
Jerzy Krysinski ◽  
Urszula Religioni ◽  
Piotr Merks
Keyword(s):  
Access To Medicines ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Market Area ◽  
Medicinal Products ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Active Substances

Non-pharmacy trade concerns the sale of medicinal products outside of pharmacies, such as limited-service pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, shops open to the public, and kiosks. Access to medicinal products via non-pharmacy outlets varies across the European countries, with a general deregulation of this market area observable. Increasing the availability of medicines by allowing patients to obtain them outside of pharmacies contributes to the spread of self-medication. The aim of this article was to review the legal regulations enabling the non-pharmacy trade in OTC (over the counter) medicinal products in European countries, with particular emphasis on the analysis of active substances contained in medicines available in the non-pharmacy trade. This analysis has made it possible to distinguish three categories of countries: (1) where there is a non-pharmacy trade in OTC medicinal products, (2) where there is a limited non-pharmacy trade in OTC medicines, (3) where there is only a pharmacy trade in OTC medicinal products. In the context of these considerations, we highlight the impact of patient access to medicinal products via non-pharmacy sources on raising the prevalence of self-medication. This article identifies the advantages and risks of self-medication, emphasising the role of the pharmacist as an advisor to patients within the scope of the therapies used.

scholarly journals Public perception on the role of community pharmacists in self-medication and self-care in Hong Kong

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joyce H You ◽  
Fiona Y Wong ◽  
Frank W Chan ◽  
Eliza L Wong ◽  
Eng-kiong Yeoh
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Public Perception ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Community Pharmacists ◽  
Self Medication

scholarly journals Practices on Over the Counter Medication among Mothers of Under Five Aged Children Attending Child OPD at Friends of Shanta Bhawan, Boudha, Kathmandu

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 19-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Maharjan ◽  
K Adhikari
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Median Frequency ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Under Five ◽  
Otc Medicines

Background: Over the counter medicines are drugs that are brought without a medical prescription. The use of many OTC medicines in children is usually initiated by parents. Self medication in developing countries from a biological point of view point the risks that are involved in developing countries are reportedly higher than in industrialized countries. This can be related to the fact that in many developing countries drugs are available over the counter. In a study conducted in Pokhara, western Nepal found that 59% had taken self medication including OTC medicines.Objective: To assess the practices on OTC drug among mothers of under five aged childrenMethodology: The descriptive cross sectional study design was used. All the mothers of under five aged children visiting the Friends of Shanta Bhawan at the child OPD and had taken OTC medicines during last 6 months for child and wished to participate in the study were included using non probability purposive sampling technique during four weeks of data collection. The data was collected from 100 samples by face to face interview technique using semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive analysis such as mean, median, frequency, percentage, standard deviation was calculated according to the objectives.Results: Most of the respondents (92%) took OTC for fever, 75% took for cough and cold. 65% of respondents used OTC medicines because the pharmacy is near from their homes and 48% used it due too easy to get the medicine as compared to visit to doctors or hospital.Conclusion: This study concluded that mothers used OTC for the common problems of their children because OTC medications are near to reach and easy to get than to visit to doctors or hospitals.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hprospect.v10i0.5640Health Prospect Vol.10 2011, pp.19-21

scholarly journals A Theory Based Intervention to Enhance Information Exchange during Over-The-Counter Consultations in Community Pharmacy: A Feasibility Study

Pharmacy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
Liza Seubert ◽  
Whitelaw Kerry ◽  
Hattingh Laetitia ◽  
Margaret Watson ◽  
Rhonda Clifford
Keyword(s):  
Community Pharmacy ◽  
Information Exchange ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Community Pharmacies ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Situational Cues ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Minor Ailments ◽  
Collection Methods

Background: Management of minor ailments through self-care and self-medication brings both benefits and risks that can be mitigated if consumers and pharmacy personnel engage in information exchange during over-the-counter (OTC) consultations. Objective: Explore the feasibility of interventions using situational cues to promote information exchange between pharmacy personnel and consumers, during OTC consultations. Methods: Intervention tools were developed prior to conducting the study, in two community pharmacies in Perth, Western Australia. The situational cues included two posters and individual position badges. Data were collected from audio-recording OTC consultations, consumer questionnaires and interviews, and pharmacy personnel interviews. Results: Space required for posters and for researchers conducting interviews was challenging in the retail environment. Pharmacy personnel perceived that the badges positively impacted -consumers’ ability to identify the position of personnel they engaged with. Data collection methods were deemed practical and acceptable. Conclusions: The proposed interventions and evaluation methods were feasible. The use of posters and badges as situational cues to address the barriers to information exchange during OTC consultations was found to be practical, in a community pharmacy setting. There is potential to use situational cues to address other barriers identified to information exchange, to add to the effectiveness of the intervention. With growing emphasis on self-care and self-medication, effective interventions are necessary to promote information exchange to enhance appropriate management in community pharmacies.

scholarly journals Self Medication: Reasons of self care in Pharmacy Students

Pharmatutor ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (9) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
M. Nagavamsidhar ◽  
A. Benzeer ◽  
A. Suman ◽  
M. Altaf ◽  
Z. L. Qadrie
Keyword(s):  
Self Care ◽  
Pharmacy Students ◽  
Self Medication

American Pharmaceutical Association

1974 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 268-273
Author(s):  
Richard Penna
Keyword(s):  
Drug Information ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
New Class ◽  
Drug Companies ◽  
Public Consumption ◽  
Self Interest ◽  
American Pharmaceutical Association

Dr. Penna denounces many of the drug companies' promotional campaigns and techniques. He feels that manufacturers of both prescription and over-the-counter drugs have neglected to present factual, unbiased drug information for prescription and self-medication. In reviewing the problems of self-interest he stresses the need to reconsider the role of the pharmacist in providing accurate usable drug information to physicians and consumers. Dr. Penna would like to see the development of a new class of drugs which would be dispensed only by pharmacists and without prescriptions. These drugs would not be advertised nor displayed for public consumption.

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