Key information providers, channels, and characteristics of Japanese consumers’ informed choices of over-the-counter medications

Abstract

People need reliable information regarding over-the-counter medications (OTCs), so that they can independently make appropriate informed choices. The study aimed to identify the information providers and channels that have an impact on the purchase of OTCs, and to demonstrate the information needs of OTC purchasers, using these providers and channels, from the viewpoint of information characteristics such as specialty, objectivity, concreteness, comprehensiveness, individuality, and availability, focusing on the efficacy of OTCs and related safety information. A questionnaire survey of randomly sampled adults aged ≥20 was conducted at the Japan Drugstore Show 2012, hosted by the Japan Association of Chain Drug Stores. In this questionnaire, information was particularly limited to the efficacy and safety of OTCs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed on data from 1743 respondents (1625 purchasers and 118 non-purchasers of OTCs) who obtained information on OTCs in their daily lives, to demonstrate the associations between the use of information providers and channels (predictor variables) and the purchase of OTCs (outcome variable), as well as between information characteristics valued by purchasers (predictor variables) and their use of these information providers or channels (outcome variables). Both the use of pharmacists as information providers and consultation at pharmacies as an information channel were positively associated with the purchase of OTCs (odds ratio [OR], 3.74; 95 % confidence interval [CI], 2.46–5.68; P < 0.001 and OR, 4.55; 95 % CI 2.92–7.11, P < 0.001, respectively), whereas both the use of family or friends using OTCs as information providers and family or friends as information channels were negatively associated with the purchase of OTCs (OR, 0.60; 95 % CI 0.40–0.90; P = 0.014 and OR, 0.55; 95 % CI 0.36–0.82; P = 0.004, respectively). OTC purchasers who valued individuality of information were more likely to use pharmacists (OR 2.00; 95 % CI 1.61–2.48; P < 0.001) and consultation at pharmacies (OR 1.98; 95 % CI 1.61–2.43; P < .001). In conclusion, individualized information provided by pharmacists on the efficacy and safety of OTCs during consultation at pharmacies can play the most important role in the informed choices of OTC purchasers.

Use patterns of over-the-counter (OTC) medications and perspectives on OTC medications among Korean adult patients with chronic diseases: gender and age differences

“…Pharmacists are able to partially help in achieving these objectives. Previous studies showed that the recommendations of pharmacists most often affect the choice of OTC medications by patients 17,24,25. A nationwide survey conducted in Germany reported that pharmacies were the most common place where patients visited to obtain information about OTC medications 26.…”

“…Previous studies showed that the recommendations of pharmacists most often affect the choice of OTC medications by patients. 17 , 24 , 25 A nationwide survey conducted in Germany reported that pharmacies were the most common place where patients visited to obtain information about OTC medications. 26 A systematic review by Raynor et al reported that patients preferred information about OTC medication tailored to their individual health conditions and illness by pharmacists to that prepared by manufacturers according to strict regulations.…”

Attitudes Toward and Use of Over-The-Counter Medications among Teenagers: Evidence from an Italian Study

“…But people need reliable information concerning OTC medicines to make appropriate decisions (Hayashi, Masuda, & Kimura, 2015). Therefore, the paper focuses on the sources of information used by teenagers and their influence on their attitudes toward OTC drugs.…”

Creating Consumer Loyalty in the Field of Using Over-the-Counter Products

“…For each of the factors mentioned above, we used certain statements, which are theoretically based on the results of previous research and which are adjusted accordingly. In this way, the perceived risk was evaluated by the first 7 findings, which are adjusted accordingly (Almalak et al, 2014), the pharmacist expertise was analyzed by responding to statements 8-12 (adapted according to Kwan et al, 2008, Piecuch et al, 2013; advertising campaigns were evaluated through the statements 13-16 (Haddad et al, 2013, Hayashi et al, 2015, consumers' price sensitivity through statements 17-20 (Lodorfos et al, 2006), aspects relating to the purchase of OTC products through statements 21-24 (Shohel et al, 2013), while the last four conclusions concern consumer loyalty (Marinković, 2012).…”

“…The research shows that pharmacists are mostly perceived as the most significant carriers of information about these products, which supports the idea that their adequate training is very important for the realisation of these products, as well as consumer satisfaction. Moreover, it has been determined that pharmacists are the most common source of information, and they are those who determine the decision of the consumer and have a positive effect on their readiness to complete the purchase (Hayashi et al, 2015). The emergence of consumer dissatisfaction, when it comes to the advisory role of the pharmacist, mostly refers to the lack of the needed information (Villako et al, 2012).…”