Nível de conhecimento sobre a composição de analgésicos com ácido acetilsalicílico

Patients' Knowledge About Analgesic-Antipyretic Medications Purchased in Community Pharmacies: A Descriptive Study

The objective of this study was to describe the level of knowledge about paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen, and aspirin of subjects who purchased nonprescription medications containing one of these drugs. We conducted this cross-sectional descriptive study in 42 community pharmacies located in southwestern France between July and November 2013. A six-item self-administered questionnaire was used. Participants were asked to identify the active ingredient contained in 14 brand-name analgesic-antipyretics, to state the maximum daily dose of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin, the recommended first-line analgesic, and precautions of use or contraindications for paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin. Among 576 participants, the identification of paracetamol ranged from 58% (for Dafalgan or Efferalgan) to 90% (for Doliprane), the identification of ibuprofen from 34% (for Nureflex) to 63% (for Nurofen), and the identification of aspirin was 70% (for Aspegic). The maximum recommended daily dose of paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin was known by 58.3%, 17.7%, and 19.3% of participants, respectively, whereas 6.8%, 17.2%, and 13.2% stated supratherapeutic daily doses. Paracetamol was correctly stated as the first-line analgesic-antipyretic by 76.2% of participants. Knowledge on major precautions of use or contraindications was poor (45.8% and 53.6% for ibuprofen and aspirin use during pregnancy, and 14.1% for concurrent use of anticoagulants and ibuprofen). Purchasers of nonprescription analgesic-antipyretics had poor knowledge on the medication they purchased.

Avaliação da propaganda de medicamentos veiculada em emissoras de rádio

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar propagandas de medicamentos veiculadas em emissoras de rádio em Natal (RN), Brasil, nos períodos de abril a setembro de 2008 e abril a setembro de 2010. As propagandas foram captadas, gravadas e transcritas para se efetuar uma análise legal e uma de conteúdo baseada nos preceitos de Laurence Bardin. Tanto as captadas no primeiro período (sob égide da RDC 102/00), quanto às do segundo (sob égide da RDC 96/08), apresentaram algum tipo de infração legal. A análise de conteúdo detectou, em ambos os períodos, praticamente os mesmos vícios como ausência de informações negativas sobre o medicamento, apelo ao consumo, exaltação da eficiência/eficácia e exploração abusiva de enfermidades. Apesar da mudança para uma legislação mais moderna e mais restritiva, as propagandas de medicamentos, no rádio, continuam a infringir frontalmente a legislação, cometendo abusos e desrespeitando o direito à saúde da população. O estudo aponta para a necessidade do tema propaganda de medicamentos ser tratado em um contexto mais amplo, ou seja, discutido como questão de saúde pública, considerando-se o cenário histórico-social em que se desenvolveu, uma vez que só a legislação não é suficiente para coibir abusos praticados em detrimento da saúde pública.

[Knowledge and information concerning generic drugs in a public outpatient population in Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil]

Brazilian Federal Act 9,787/99, regulating generic medicines, includes rules for drug registration and provides for the population's access to safe, effective, high-quality, and low-cost medication. Four years after the introduction of generic drugs on the Brazilian market, we proposed to measure knowledge and information on generic drugs among the clientele at a public outpatient clinic in Recife, Pernambuco State, applying a questionnaire in 2000. 76.1% of the interviewees were women, 95.7% had heard of generic drugs, and 68.1% could define generic medication. Government action to publicize the properties of such medicines and their advantages for consumers has thus reached the vast majority of the population.