Demographic and Socioeconomic Characteristics of Outpatients Could Modify Their Attitude Towards Misusing Medications in Northern Jordan

Dispensing Errors and Self-medication Practices-Pharmacists' Experience in Tabuk: A Cross-sectional Study

Background

Community pharmacists are engaged in various professional activities starting from drug dispensing to promoting the well-being of patients. They dispense medications as stated in the prescription and are also licensed to prescribe over-the-counter (OTC) medications. Self-medication is widely practiced in various countries, which may lead to irrational drug use. The objectives of this study were to identify the factors associated with dispensing errors, to find ways to minimize dispensing errors, to identify patients' reasons for self-medication, and to find the drugs commonly utilized by patients as OTC medications and the sources of their drug information.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of a convenience sample of 286 registered community pharmacists all over Tabuk was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire.

Results

Physician's unclear handwriting in the prescription was the major factor for dispensing error (2.6 out of 3) and writing the prescription clearly by the physician or using a printed form of prescription was an important factor in minimizing dispensing errors (2.91 out of 3). Previous similar complaints in the past were the main reason for self-medication (2.45 out of 3) with analgesics and antipyretics being the commonly dispensed drug groups dispensed as OTC medications (2.95 out of 3).

Conclusion

Self-medication practices and dispensing errors are widespread in Tabuk. Antibiotics were dispensed as OTC medication, which may lead to more chance of irrational drug use. Writing the prescription clearly and legibly would reduce dispensing errors. It is the community pharmacists' responsibility to increase awareness regarding the appropriate use of drugs to the public.

Prevalence and correlates of prescription drug diversion and misuse among people living with HIV in the eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

BACKGROUND

Prescription drug diversion, and misuse has increased over the past decade and is notably in high-income-countries and significantly contributes to the opioid epidemic. People living with HIV (PLWH) are particularly vulnerable to prescription drug diversion, and misuse as most experience chronic pain, mental health problems and HIV-related illnesses. The researchers investigated the prevalence and correlates of prescription drug diversion, and misuse among PLWH in the eThekwini district, KwaZulu-Natal.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 392 PLWH, conveniently recruited from the public healthcare facilities located in rural, semi-urban and urban areas of the eThekwini district. Participants answered questions about their background, prescription medications, substance use, and prescription drug diversion, and misuse. Descriptive analysis was performed to estimate the prevalence of prescription drug diversion, and misuse. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of prescription drug diversion, and misuse.

FINDINGS

Overall, 13% of the participants reported lifetime prescription drug diversion. The most common type of diversion was using prescription medication not prescribed by a healthcare provider (11%), followed by sharing of prescription medication (9%) and buying prescription medication without a medical script (5%). Twenty-three per cent of the participants reported prescription drug misuse in the past 90 days, with using prescription medication without a healthcare providers' guidance (9%) and not following the scheduled time periods (8%) being the most common reported types of misuse. Self-medicating was identified as a risk factor for prescription drug misuse. There was no association between ART adherence and prescription drug diversion, and misuse.

CONCLUSION

The study findings contribute to improving the limited data available on prescription drug diversion, and misuse among PLWH in South Africa. The prevalence underscores a need for urgent interventions when prescribing medications with potential risks. Addressing the risk of self-medicating is imperative for HIV care outcomes and to avert death.

Dispensing errors and self-medication practice observed by community pharmacists in Jordan

BACKGROUND

Drug dispensing is the major function of community pharmacists, the pharmacists should have the ability to counsel the patients and be aware of dispensing errors. Self- medication is a universal phenomenon that is widely practiced in developing countries and it may lead to irrational usage of drugs.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were identifying the factors that associated with dispensing errors and how to minimize them and identifying patients' reasons for self-medication, drugs purchased as Over-The-Counter drugs, patients' source of drug information.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey of a stratified random sample of three hundred registered community pharmacists in all Jordanian regions (north, middle and south). Statistical analysis was done by using SPSS software version 17.0.

RESULTS

The majority of respondents were female (72.7%). Poor doctor's handwritten prescription was the major identified factor that associates with despising errors (3.78 out of 5) and improving doctor handwritten or using printed prescription was the most appreciated factor in reducing these errors (4.62 out of 5). Regarding community pharmacists' opinions toward self-medication practice, the majority said that it is not acceptable (4.12 out of 5) and most of the time it leads to bad sequences. Financial problem was the major reason behind self-medication (4.72 out of 5), analgesics/antipyretics were most drug groups that dispensed as OTC drugs (4.85 out of 5) and the pharmacists were a major source of patient' drug information.

CONCLUSION

Drugs dispensing errors and self-medication practices are widespread in Jordan and they should be regulated and restricted throughout applying strong policies and laws. They should be strictly enforced among pharmacies and there is a great responsibility to increase community awareness regarding appropriate drugs using.

Patterns of self-medication among medical and nonmedical University students in Jordan

Background and objective

Self-medication practice involves consumption of medicines by one's own initiative or on the consultation of others without the guidance of a physician. Self-medication and use of over-the-counter drugs are prevalent worldwide public health concerns. University students of medical and nonmedical disciplines may have different levels of health education. This study evaluated the prevalence and patterns of self-medication and the attitudes toward this practice among medical and nonmedical university students in Jordan.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 504 students (medical: 248 and nonmedical: 256). The students were invited to complete a questionnaire that included questions primarily related to patterns of physician visits, self-medication practice, symptoms provoking self-medication, and sources of advice.

Results

Self-medication was highly prevalent and comparable between medical and nonmedical students (~96%). Headache (81.9%), cold (58.3%), and flu (53%) were the frequent symptoms provoking self-medication among students. Self-medication for headache (86.7% vs 77.3%) and tooth pain (53.1% vs 27%) was significantly higher among medical vs nonmedical students, respectively. Self-treatment with painkillers (82.3% vs 73%) or antiallergy (11.3% vs 5.9%) drugs was significantly higher among medical students, while the use of anti-flu decongestants (47.6% vs 60.2%) was lower compared to nonmedical students, respectively. Nonmedical vs medical students were significantly more dependent on friends (14.8% vs 7.7%) and own experience (7.4% vs 2.4%) as a source of self-medication advice.

Conclusion

Self-medication is common among Jordanian university students of medical and nonmedical disciplines. This practice, if used irrationally, may constitute a health problem that needs awareness and interventions by health care regulators in Jordan. Future studies are warranted to examine the impact of self-medication on students' health.