Sharing of prescription analgesics amongst patients in family practice: Frequency and associated factors

Markotić, Filipa; Jurisic, Dinka; Ćurković, Mario; Puljiz, Marijana; Novinscak, M; Bonassin, Karmela; Vrdoljak, Davorka; Vojvodić, Željko; Hajdarovic, Snjezana Permozer; Pekez-Pavliško, Tanja; Tomičić, Marion; Diminić-Lisica, Ines; Ivsic, S Fabris; Nejašmić, Danijel; Miosic, Ivana; Novak, Ivana; Puljak, Livia

doi:10.1002/ejp.1157

Cited by 12 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Consistent with previous studies, painkillers, antibiotics and allergy medicine were the most frequently borrowed and lent medicines . This is possibly because, in Saudi Arabia, allergy medications and some pain medications are easily accessible and can be obtained either with or without a prescription over the counter (OTC).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Our finding is consistent with other studies which illustrated that young people were more likely to borrow prescription medications, and the prevalence of medication borrowing generally declined with increasing age . This could be due to the fact that young individuals may be less concerned or aware about the risks associated with medication sharing .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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‘Sharing may not be caring’ — Prescription medication sharing among adults in Saudi Arabia

Alhomoud

2019

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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ObjectivesThe aim of the current study was to describe prescription medication sharing behaviours (i.e. borrowing and lending) among adults living in Saudi Arabia. Methods This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Saudi Arabia during December 2018. The eligibility criteria were an ability to communicate in Arabic or English and aged ≥18 years. An online survey was distributed to a convenience sample, supplemented by snowballing, by email and social media via an Internet link leading to a web-based survey platform in QuestionPro to assess their medication sharing behaviours. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess the associations. Key findings A total of 667 completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of borrowing and lending prescription medication was found to be 14% and 16% in 2018 (past year), respectively. Twenty per cent of participants revealed that they had given a medication prescribed for one child to another child in their care, and 75% reported having leftover prescription medicine at home. The majority (90%) had borrowed or lent on one to three occasions. A wide range of medications were borrowed and lent mainly between immediate family members. Different reasons have been identified for medicine borrowing or lending behaviours. Conclusions Borrowing and lending prescription medications are a common practice in the Saudi population. Further research is warranted into the development of successful approaches or interventions to reduce medication sharing behaviour. 256Prescription medication sharing Results Survey response and participants' characteristicsA total of 667 completed the questionnaire. The majority of participants were female (485/667; 72.7%), were Saudis Faten Alhomoud 257 AOR, adjusted odds ratio; CI, confidence interval; P, probability value. a Reference category for the logistic regressions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Sharing may not be caring’ — Prescription medication sharing among adults in Saudi Arabia

Alhomoud

2019

International Journal of Pharmacy Practice

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“…Thirdly, PO abuse might have been underestimated in this study, since purchases made via doctors are not the sole means of PO analgesics abuse. Patients can, in fact, also obtain large quantities of opioids through friends, family, the Internet, or black markets (Manchikanti et al., ; Winstock et al., ; Markotic et al., ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prescription opioid analgesic use in France: Trends and impact on morbidity–mortality

Chenaf

Kaboré

Delorme

et al. 2018

European Journal of Pain

137

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“…For instance, “prescribed drugs” may refer exclusively to prescriptions by HCPs like in the German survey (Sarganas et al, ) or to the use of previously prescribed drugs stored at home, like in the Colombian study (Machado‐Alba et al, ). Such a difference is particularly relevant when considering risk‐associated behaviours like sharing of prescription analgesics that may be highly prevalent amongst patients in family medicine as suggested by a recent study performed in Croatia (Markotic et al, ). Beyond the coverage of intra‐country disparities regarding the access to treatments, the interpretation and comparison of studies aimed to identify factors associated with self‐medication involve the use of a similar definition concerning the way the drugs are delivered (OTC vs. previously prescribed and stored), the decision is made (HCP counselling or not) and also the wording of the questionnaires.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐medication in pain management: The state of the art of pharmacists’ role for optimal Over‐The‐Counter analgesic use

Perrot

Cittée²,

Louis

et al. 2019

European Journal of Pain

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Background and Objective Self‐medication is associated with an important utilization of Over‐The‐Counter (OTC) analgesics. The medical outcome resulting from therapeutic options bypassing the physician prescription is a major issue. In that context, pharmacists are expected to play a crucial role. The main objective of this review was to analyse the state‐of‐the art of pharmacists' role in pain management self‐medication. Databases and Data Treatment An expert multidisciplinary group dedicated to self‐medication in pain was established. Selection of publications was performed from PubMedand EMBASE databases which was based on the use of “pain” and/or “self‐medication” and/or “self‐care” and/or “analgesics” and/or “painkillers” keywords, restricted to the past 10 years. Results A total of 480 papers were identified, 49 of which papers were considered relevant and finally kept for final discussion, on OTC pain management and pharmacist's role. Literature analysis demonstrates that OTC analgesics are generally safe when appropriately used. Risks associated with misuse or inappropriateness depend on patients’ vulnerability (elderly, pregnancy) or behaviour. Social cognitive theory‐based intervention and multimedia applications improve self‐medication but do not replace health care professional advice Pharmacists’ interventions may improve the benefits and safety of OTC analgesic medication, with a better management of pain. Conclusions Considering the heterogeneity of patients’ knowledge and behaviour reported worldwide, inappropriate use of OTC pain medication should not be underestimated. Community pharmacists are ideally placed to guide self‐medication or recommend a medical advice when needed. Embedding pharmacists in primary care pain management is essential and pharmacist‐led medication coupled with an appropriate training of pharmacy staffs should be encouraged. Significance Analgesics are widely used without prescription, all over the world. They represent the largest market of OTC drugs, with an overall benefit/risk ratio favourable when appropriately used. Because of potential individual risks associated to the ailment or to the patient's behaviour, pharmacists’ interventions have proven to optimize analgesic self‐medication, provided that pharmacy staffs are both available and more specifically trained. In the future, in pain management, especially self‐medication, pharmacists should play an increasing role and should be included in educational programmes and pain management guidelines.

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Sharing of prescription analgesics amongst patients in family practice: Frequency and associated factors

Abstract: Sharing of prescription analgesics is a highly prevalent behaviour amongst pain patients, and there exist independent factors associated with such conduct. This information can be useful in the design of interventions aimed at mitigating analgesic sharing behaviour in the future.

Cited by 12 publications

References 29 publications

‘Sharing may not be caring’ — Prescription medication sharing among adults in Saudi Arabia

‘Sharing may not be caring’ — Prescription medication sharing among adults in Saudi Arabia

Prescription opioid analgesic use in France: Trends and impact on morbidity–mortality

Self‐medication in pain management: The state of the art of pharmacists’ role for optimal Over‐The‐Counter analgesic use

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