Self-medication and the advisory role of pharmacists in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) remedies is a common practice in both developed and developing countries; however, inappropriate self-medication can have adverse effects and may contribute to the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. A consultation with pharmacists plays a crucial role in providing efficient professional guidance advice for appropriate use of OTC medicines. Aims: This paper investigated the situations in which patients ask a pharmacist for advice and the factors that affect the patients' decisions for asking advice from a pharmacist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: A pre-tested structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 680 patients on a voluntary basis who purchased OTC medicines at various five private pharmacies located in different areas of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were asked to answer a set of closed-ended questionnaire about their practice regarding the purchase of medicines and the factors that influence their decisions to ask for consultation from pharmacists. Nonparametric statistical software (STATISTICA 12.0) was used to analyze the data. Results and Conclusions:The overall response rate was 78.9%. The majority of participants 67.2% were found to visit the pharmacy specifically to purchase OTC medication. Surprisingly, only 12.9% were asked the pharmacist for advice. According to the participants, the reasons that did not encourage them to ask advice from pharmacists were found -58.2% felt shy and reluctant, 32.9% lack of confidentiality, 25.3% the pharmacist is impatient, 22.7% queues inside the pharmacy, and 14.2% did not trust the pharmacists. The current study revealed that the majority of patients tend to self-medicate and did not ask the pharmacist for advice when they purchased OTC medicines. Effort should be made to raise public awareness with regards to the advisory role of pharmacists and discrete facilities should be provided that encourage patients to ask for advice from the pharmacist.

Evaluation of Self-Medication Practices and Awareness among Students in Al Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia

“…The findings support the prevalence of self medication in previous studies [10,11] done at Saudi Arabia. It is worth noting that prevalence rate in another study [15] at Bahrain University students is 86% and almost similar results were found in one study [17] at Kuwait i.e.…”

“…Herbal stores (QU= 4.2%, BPC=4.9%) and street markets (QU=1.4%, BPC=1.6%) are least used source for obtaining self medication. The availability of wide range of medications makes pharmacy as most important choice of getting medications [20].…”

“…The prescription drugs like antibiotics are commonly used as self medication in many countries where the regulations are not strict [7,8]. It is suspected that the prevalence rate of self medication is high in Saudi Arabia and only few studies have been done in Saudi Arabia [9,10,11]. Furthermore, the poor implementation of drug policies in developing countries makes prescription medication accessible as non prescription product [12].…”

Consumers’ awareness, attitude and associated factors towards self-medication in Hail, Saudi Arabia

“…In Arab countries including Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of SM ranges from 35% to 92% [10][11][12][13][14]. Literature shows that most of the studies related to self-medication have been conducted among healthcare professionals or students, and there are only few studies concerned with general public of Saudi Arabia [11,[15][16][17]. Self-medication has not got the attention it deserves as a research topic.…”

Knowledge about missed contraceptive pills among married women at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

“…In Saudi Arabia, OCPs are available over-the-counter without prescription, and a pharmacist’s advice might sometimes be a user’s only source of information. 10 , 11 Self-medication may result in inappropriate use of pills and consequently poor efficacy. However, women tend to start contraception on their own because of high fertility rates, less accessibility to health care for women, and large families.…”