Improving the provision of OTC medication information in community pharmacies in Poland

Piecuch, Anna; Makarewicz‐Wujec, Magdalena; Kozłowska−Wojciechowska, Małgorzata

doi:10.1007/s11096-016-0397-z

Cited by 11 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The widespread availability and the increasing use of OTC drugs might have had a significant impact on that [23]. Awareness of the risks among patients and pharmacists is of great importance [24]. In this study, drugs were the main cause of poisonings (60.4%) for all the patients treated in the Department of Internal Medicine and Toxicology.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

A retrospective observational study on patients intoxicated by drugs and other xenobiotics

Sawicka¹,

Kartuszyńska²,

Kuczyńska

et al. 2019

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

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Objectives: Many research studies conducted in various toxicology centers point to drugs as the most common cause of intoxication. Long-term observations make it possible to clarify the nature of these poisonings. The aim of this study was to examine the trends and reasons of intoxication in patients hospitalized over a 10-year observation period (2005-2015), as well as to compare the number of patients poisoned with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), mainly over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Material and Methods: A retrospective observational study examined the medical documentation of patients hospitalized in the Department of Toxicology and Internal Diseases of the T. Marciniak Lower Silesian Specialist Hospital in Wrocław in 2005-2015, including the analysis of the causes of intoxication as well as total poisoning-related death statistics. Quarterly and annual analyses of the numerical data, and comparisons of the frequency of poisonings were included. The patient population from the area of Lower Silesia, Poland, was examined. Results: The number of hospitalized patients has increased, with attempted suicide being the leading cause of death. Male intoxication and mortality have been found to predominate. Drugs are the most common cause of poisoning, and among these the most common are sedatives and psychotropic drugs. Intoxication due to NSAIDs, especially OTC drugs, increased significantly in the observation period. In 2005 no fatal cases were reported as a result of NSAID intoxication, while in 2015 mortality significantly increased to 43%. Conclusions: The lack of a common trend in poisonings is observed but the number of hospitalized patients has increased, especially among young people, which is consistent with global trends. Drugs are the most common cause of mortality, and a significant increase in NSAID (mainly OTC) poisonings in particular indicates the growing prevalence of an uncontrolled use of these drugs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 74%

A retrospective observational study on patients intoxicated by drugs and other xenobiotics

Sawicka¹,

Kartuszyńska²,

Kuczyńska

et al. 2019

Int J Occup Med Environ Health

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“…Trust in pharmacists helps to change the inappropriate habits of patients, increasing the likelihood of compliance with the recommendations for the introduced pharmacotherapy. Pharmaceutical care is becoming an indispensable element of the modern healthcare system [69][70][71].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Access to Medicines via Non-Pharmacy Outlets in European Countries—A Review of Regulations and the Influence on the Self-Medication Phenomenon

et al. 2021

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Non-pharmacy trade concerns the sale of medicinal products outside of pharmacies, such as limited-service pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, shops open to the public, and kiosks. Access to medicinal products via non-pharmacy outlets varies across the European countries, with a general deregulation of this market area observable. Increasing the availability of medicines by allowing patients to obtain them outside of pharmacies contributes to the spread of self-medication. The aim of this article was to review the legal regulations enabling the non-pharmacy trade in OTC (over the counter) medicinal products in European countries, with particular emphasis on the analysis of active substances contained in medicines available in the non-pharmacy trade. This analysis has made it possible to distinguish three categories of countries: (1) where there is a non-pharmacy trade in OTC medicinal products, (2) where there is a limited non-pharmacy trade in OTC medicines, (3) where there is only a pharmacy trade in OTC medicinal products. In the context of these considerations, we highlight the impact of patient access to medicinal products via non-pharmacy sources on raising the prevalence of self-medication. This article identifies the advantages and risks of self-medication, emphasising the role of the pharmacist as an advisor to patients within the scope of the therapies used.

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“…Recently, due to amendments made to regulations, more and more Rx drugs are now available as OTC drugs; thus, the necessity of professional supervision over self-treatment is even more crucial than it was a decade ago [ 13 ]. In the context of Poland, Piecuch et al noted that pharmacists recognized how important drug counseling is for patients during self-treatment and deciding whether medications should be taken [ 14 ]. However, some pharmacists are still not confident in providing pharmaceutical services, predominantly due to their lack of knowledge (self-declared opinions) [ 15 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Awareness of Risks Associated with OTC Drugs Available in Non-Pharmacy Outlets among Polish Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

et al. 2021

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Background: Many OTC drugs are available in non-pharmacy outlets, and as such the risk of overuse and/or improper use of this class of drugs is more likely. In light of this observation, our study was conducted with the aim of exploring opinions on non-pharmaceutical distribution among Polish patients. This study was a part of an informative project to educate patients about the possible risks associated with the use of OTC medicines. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Polish patients in which we used an authorial questionnaire, previously tested via content, face validity, and a pilot study. The questionnaire was distributed both electronically and in a traditional form. Results: ‘Time saving’ had a statistically significant role in the patient’s decision about purchasing drugs in a non-pharmacy outlet (p = 0.0052; R = 0.276994). The lack of a pharmacist’s consultation/advice (p = 0.0072; R = −0.3290490), improper storage (p = 0.0044; R = −0.238246), risk of overdose (p = 0.0125; R = −0.189564), and the risk of purchasing out-of-date drugs (p = 0.0125; R = −0.145411), as well as the risk of purchasing falsified drugs (p = 0.0265; R = −0.159428), were all associated with the patient’s non-willingness to purchase drugs in non-pharmacy outlets. Patients supported the idea of the elimination of non-pharmacy outlet distribution (p = 0.0074; R = −0.195932); they also emphasized that they are advocates of purchasing drugs only in community pharmacies (p = 0.0006; R = −0.238625). Conclusion: Patients are aware of the risks associated with buying drugs outside of community pharmacies. They perceived pharmacists as professional health care advisors and supported the fact that OTC drugs should be available only via pharmaceutical distribution.

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Improving the provision of OTC medication information in community pharmacies in Poland

Cited by 11 publications

References 20 publications

A retrospective observational study on patients intoxicated by drugs and other xenobiotics

A retrospective observational study on patients intoxicated by drugs and other xenobiotics

Access to Medicines via Non-Pharmacy Outlets in European Countries—A Review of Regulations and the Influence on the Self-Medication Phenomenon

The Awareness of Risks Associated with OTC Drugs Available in Non-Pharmacy Outlets among Polish Patients—A Cross-Sectional Study

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