Background: It is well known that evidence-based medicine is the rule for clinical practice. This can be enhanced by conducting good research. Medical students being the future doctors should contribute significantly. But the research among the medical students is very poor with respect to presentations and publications. In view of this data the study was done to know their perception, attitude and barriers for conducting research.Methods: This was a cross sectional observational study involving three different batches of medical students by giving a semi-structured questionnaire.Results: The response among the participants to involve in research was only 30%. Among them the overall attitude and barrier score were 3.69±0.29 and 3.63±0.42 respectively with statistical significance shown between genders and not between batches. The biggest barrier was lack of previous research experience (91.67%). The most common motivational factor was self-interest (90.7%).Conclusions: If given sufficient training and facilities provided, we should be able to get more research among the medical students.

BACKGROUND Self-medication practice involves consumption of medicines by one’s own initiative or on the consultation of others without the guidance of a doctor. Self-medication and use of over-the-counter drugs, are worldwide health concerns. This study evaluated the prevalence, behavioural patterns, knowledge of self-medication, and the attitudes toward this practice among medical and nonmedical university students. METHODS This is a cross-sectional descriptive study conducted among students with medical and non-medical backgrounds. A semi-structured questionnaire was constructed after reviewing literature to capture data regarding socio-demographic background, practice and knowledge of self-medication. RESULTS Out of a total of 98 students, 79.6 % of students practiced self-medication (medical - 77.5 % and non-medical - 85.2 %). The main reason for self-medication was convenience (50.8 %) and the choice of self-medication was based on their own experience (30.4 %) and previous doctors’ prescription (20.2 %). Community pharmacies (64.0 %) were the most common source of acquiring the drugs in both groups. It was observed that 53.1 % students think self-medication is an acceptable practice. 28.6% were confident of treating infectious diseases through selfmedication. CONCLUSIONS The present study shows a higher prevalence of self-medication among students. It also indicates a critical need for the implementation of quality education programs in order to prevent the self-medication among students. KEY WORDS Self-Medication, Medical, Non-Medical

No abstract

Background: Essential medicines are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of a population. The latest version of NLEM is the 23rd list, published in September 2022, and contains 384 essential drugs, of which 29 are cardiovascular drugs. The drugs in the list may be huge or small according to the local needs. The objectives of our study are to prepare the essential drug list for cardiovascular disease in a tertiary care hospital and to confirm the essential drug list provided and its availability in the pharmacy. Methods: We interviewed around 28 consultants from various departments who prescribe these cardiac drugs. The names, doses and dosage forms were noted. The list was verified with the NLEM 2022 and counterchecked in the hospital pharmacy. Results: Most consultants adhered to NLEM, but an additional 42 drugs were prescribed, amounting to 71 drugs. There are four drugs Warfarin, Rivaroxaban, Furosemide and Torsemide which may be considered for the hospital pharmacy list. Conclusions: Too many drugs other than those present in the NLEM list are prescribed, which can be reduced by adequately training the consultants to adhere to the prescribed list.

Background: Drugs are procured by the consumers from different sources. But most of the time it is in excess of the requirement, or not consumed completely. These unused drugs are disposed in a wrong manner which can lead to harmful effects on the environment. This study was to check the knowledge and practice by medical students.Methods: It was cross sectional observational study involving different batches of medical students by giving a semi-structured questionnaire.Results: A total of 165 participants (72 males, 93 females) from different batches of MBBS, predominantly 1st and 2nd year. Majority of them are aware of the term eco-pharmacology 70 (91%) and environmental effects 86 (06%). The most common mode of procurement is with prescription and possesses more than 50% of the expired drugs. Throwing back into the dustbin was the mode of disposal.Conclusions: There is poor knowledge of drug disposal behaviour. Sufficient training should be given to the medical students to protect the ecosystem.