Developing and Verifying the Efficacy of “Educational Program for Promoting Appropriate Self-medication <i>via</i> Pharmacies and Pharmacists”: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Abstract

Utilization of community pharmacies/pharmacists is important for promoting appropriate self-medication; however, appropriate self-medication via pharmacies/pharmacists has not been well-implemented in Japan. Based on the transtheoretical model of health behavior change, we constructed an Educational Program for Promoting Appropriate Self-medication via Pharmacies and Pharmacists to inform the public about the assistive services of pharmacies/pharmacists regarding self-medication and the use of medication notebooks for self-medications. We then tested the efficacy of the program through a randomized controlled trial. The subjects were residents living around Gifu City, aged 20 years and above, and recruited through posters and pamphlets. The subjects were randomly allocated to a group that received only a medication/ health class (control group) or one that received the medication/health class, as well as the educational program (intervention group). A questionnaire was administered immediately before the medication/health class (T1) and 2 months afterwards (T2), which allowed us to evaluate and compare the changes in the two groups' behavior regarding performing appropriate self-medication via pharmacies/pharmacists. The percentage of people who began consulting with pharmacists concerning self-medication was significantly higher among the intervention group (38.2%, 13/34) than the control group (14.3%, 4/28) (p 0.047). The percentage of people who began recording details of self-medication in their medication notebooks was significantly higher among the intervention group (38.2%, 13/34) than the control group (10.7%, 3/28) (p 0.019). The educational program effectively encouraged the public to adopt appropriate self-medication practices to avail the services provided by pharmacies/pharmacists.

Status of self-medication and the relevant factors regarding drug efficacy and safety as important considerations among adolescents aged 12–18 in China: a cross-sectional study

“…Finally, adolescents and their families should take the initiative to learn how to scientifically identify and use OTC drugs. In a randomized controlled trial in Japan, proactive use of self-medication knowledge provided by pharmacists was shown to be effective in promoting safe self-medication behavior among the public 50 ; Other studies have shown that the drug use behavior of adolescents can be improved to a certain extent with the intervention of media 51 .…”

Educação em saúde: a importância do descarte correto de medicamentos domiciliares vencidos ou em desuso

“…A automedicação quando realizada de maneira responsável, contribui para o desenvolvimento do papel ativo do paciente em relação ao cuidado com sua própria saúde, maior acesso aos medicamentos e redução de gastos públicos na saúde no tratamento de distúrbios menores (Tachi et al, 2019). No entanto, quando praticada de maneira irracional, apresenta vários riscos, tais como o autodiagnóstico incorreto, dosagem e administração inadequadas (Hughes et al, 2001;Ruiz, 2010), além de colaborar para o acúmulo de medicamentos domiciliares.…”

Development of a Remote Health Support Program by Pharmacists and Elucidation of Its Effectiveness: A Randomized Controlled Study

“…The questionnaire included the age, sex, marital status, cohabitation status, employment status, and medical status of participants. Further, questions about participants' selfmedication behaviors (Table 1 in the previous report of Tachi et al 30) ), self-medication awareness (Table 1, questions a-k), and health literacy (European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire Japanese Version; J-HLS-EU-Q47 41) ) were also included. Responses to the questions about self-medication awareness were based on a 5-point Likert scale (disagree: score 1, slightly agree: score 2, neither agree nor disagree: score 3, slightly disagree: score 4, and agree: score 5).…”

“…2,[26][27][28] Therefore, it is necessary to educate community residents continuously and effectively about proper self-medication. As a part of self-medication education by pharmacists, we have developed the "educational program for the use of medication notebooks at the time of purchasing OTC drugs and health food products 29) " and "educational program for the promotion of self-medication using support from pharmacies 30) " and demonstrated their effectiveness in terms of proper selfmedication.…”