<p>Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Over-the-Counter Drugs Among Pharmacy and Medical Students: A Facility-Based Cross-Sectional Study</p>

Abstract

Background: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) medications is common among medicine and health science students. For safe use of OTC medications, students are expected to have proper knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards OTC medications and subsequent adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

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

“…These results are broadly similar to the previously UK study which was conducted around the same time of the year [34] and a study conducted in Jordan (1317 medical and pharmacy student participants; 1034 of whom reported self-medication practice) where 79.9% reported using analgesics, 33.8% used antitussives and 18.2% used antihistamines [26]. Pharmacy students in Bangladesh [23] and Ethiopia [24] reported commonly using analgesics. Moreover, the latest PAGB OTC consumer healthcare market review indicated that pain relief represented the largest market share, followed by cough, cold and sore throat products [43].…”

“…Data were collected by means of a self-completed paper-based questionnaire which was developed with reference to relevant publications [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] including the previous study [34] and the electronic medicines compendium (eMC) [36]. To maximize the response rate [37], the questionnaire was quite short and divided into four discrete sections to ensure it was easy to follow.…”

“…The primary reasons provided were concerns for patient safety including potential for abuse of OTCs (15/35), additional responsibility and workload for pharmacists in relation to consultations and monitoring requirements (13/35) and training factors such as risk of misdiagnosis or drug interactions (4/35). Of the 30 students who selected 'yes', 24 provided examples of products which they deemed suitable for future deregulation with the most common being oral contraceptives (6/24), oral and topical antibiotics (6/24) and salbutamol inhalers (4/24). Respondents were asked to consider whether more prescription-only medicines should be deregulated to OTC status in future.…”

“…Previous studies in the last ten years involving students have investigated perceptions and practice of self-medication in Bangladesh (500 medical and pharmacy students [22] and 250 pharmacy students [23]), Ethiopia (380 medical and pharmacy students [24]) Iran (170 medical and pharmacy students [25]), Jordan (1317 medical and pharmacy students [26]), Pakistan (300 medical students [27]) and Sri Lanka (700 undergraduate students [28]). Other researchers in Nepal examined students' knowledge and perceptions about self-medication practices (620 students [29]).…”

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“…Therapy with medications in pregnant women cannot be completely avoided because some pregnant women may have acute or chronic diseases such as nausea, vomiting, diabetes, asthma, and hypertension where short or long-term therapy is needed 10,11 . However, self-medication in pregnancy is an unhealthy practice and can have dangerous implications on both mother and the foetus 12 . The present study assessed the level of knowledge of pregnant women about OTC medicine and the prevalence of OTC medicine use among them.…”