Despite having some benefits, self-medication increases risks such as unnecessary use of medication, extended duration of consumption, incorrect diagnosis, drug-drug interactions, and polypharmacy. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare self-medication practice between medical and nonmedical students of the University of Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional comparative study was conducted on medical and nonmedical students of the University of Gondar from March 25 to May 15, 2018. A comparative sample of 213 medical and 212 nonmedical students were enrolled in the study. Data were collected by physically visiting the students in their campuses, using a semistructured questionnaire. Of the participants with a history of medication use in the past 12 months, 64.5% practiced self-medication. The prevalence of self-medication was 59.7% among medical students and 69.0% among nonmedical students. “Knowing the treatment of the disease” was the most frequent reason behind self-medication. Analgesics/antipyretics were the most common categories of medications used, whereas headache was the predominant ailment for which the medications were used. Self-medication practice was found to be higher in the fifth year students and nonmedical students (p<0.05). In conclusion, self-medication is common among students of the University of Gondar. Nonmedical students were more likely to have practiced self-medication as compared to medical students.

BackgroundOut-of-pocket expenditure constitutes high proportion of healthcare spending in low-income countries. It can affect patients’ adherence to treatments leading to serious health consequences. The objective of this study was to document costs incurred by patients visiting Gondar University Referral Hospital, in Gondar, northwestern Ethiopia.MethodsAn institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 346 outpatients at the hospital from 2nd to 20th of May 2016. Data collection took place through interviews with patients coming to the outpatient pharmacy after finishing their visits at the different departments in the hospital. Data were collected on socio-demographic information, cost incurred before and during hospital visit as well as ownership of household items.ResultsAmong the 342 interviews included in the final analysis, a median total cost of 22.25 USD was incurred by patients. This constituted spending on solutions tried before hospital visit, direct medical, nonmedical and indirect costs. Among these, direct nonmedical and indirect costs constituted a large share. Medicine, transportation and waiting time during visit were major components of direct medical, nonmedical and indirect costs respectively. Total median cost was found to be predicted by residence, marital status and payment scheme used to pay for hospital services.ConclusionsOutpatients visiting the hospital incurred significant costs for illnesses/conditions associated with their visit to the hospital, the main components being nonmedical and indirect costs. Residence, marital status and payment scheme, predicted median total cost. Direct nonmedical costs and indirect costs were found to be significant components associated to the spending and loss of earning by patients and their families in their trip to and from the hospital.

The study assessed the pattern and appropriateness of medicines prescribed to outpatients at Gondar University Referral Hospital in northwestern Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed, through interviews and prescription reviews, among 346 patients at the outpatient pharmacy, from 2nd to 20th of May 2016. Data on sociodemographic profile of patients and medicines prescribed to them were collected. A mean of 1.72 medicines per encounter was prescribed, over a third of the total being anti-infectives. Patients were able to get about 85% of these medicines. An unskilled government employee would be required to work more than one and a half day to be able to afford the average priced medicine. Among prescriptions with two or more medicines, more than a third had at least one potential drug-drug interaction (PDDI), the commonest pair containing amoxicillin and doxycycline. Being male, being older (50–59 years), and increased number of medicines were associated with higher likelihood of PDDIs. In conclusion, the number of medicines prescribed per encounter was up to accepted standard. However, their availability fell short, together with considerable cost. Regarding appropriateness, a significant proportion of potential drug-drug interactions is identified and associated with patient's sex, age, and number of medicines prescribed.

Background The aim of this research was to evaluate quality control parameters of available brands of paracetamol tablets in Gondar city since standard quality parameters are essential for a better quality of the product. The different brands of paracetamol tablets were obtained from local pharmacies in Gondar town and the University of Gondar (UOG) hospital pharmacies. Methods Five brands of paracetamol, from each, 102 tablets were collected from private pharmacies, government health centers, and UOG pharmacies. The popular brands in the city, Panadol, Para-denk, Paramol, Paracetamol (EPHARM), and Cadimol, conventional tablets of 500 mg strength were chosen and the tablets were assessed for different quality parameters: weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration, dissolution, and drug content (assay) using compendial methods. The tablets were evaluated to check if they comply with the specifications of USP (United States Pharmacopeia). Results From the results, it was observed that all the brands of paracetamol have passed the tests and met the specifications of USP. Results of weight variation, hardness, friability, and disintegration time ranged from 0.46 to 1.11%, 117.0 to 174.70 N, 0.07 to 0.63%, and 01 to 08 minutes for all the tablets, respectively. The dissolution profiles of all the brands are within the acceptable label claim. The assay results showed that the drug content of the paracetamol brands ranged from 95.04% to 106.81%. The dissolution rate was significantly different (p < 0.05) as compared to code 1 with all brands tested at 30 minutes. The disintegration time of different brands was also significantly different from the comparator (code 1) except code 2. Conclusion Based on the finding from this study, there were no significant deviations from pharmacopeia standards and specifications. The brands studied were safe enough and could be used to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.