Self-medication and over-the-counter practices : a study in Palestine

Abstract EN

Self medication, over-the-counter practices and drug utilization studies are very few in Palestine.

The purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the self medication patterns and over-the-counter practices in Palestine.

A random sample of patients seeking self medication at community pharmacy was interviewed using a 15-item questionnaire.

Social, demographic, disease information and information on drugs used for self-medication or dispensed over the counter were collected.

The percentage of patients who were seeking self medication study was approximately 60 %.

Those patients were mostly males, educated, above the age of 40 and have a monthly income of less than 200 USD.

Most patients were seeking self medication for headache, dental pains, muscle/joint pains and throat or respiratory or urinary tract infections.

The drugs most commonly dispensed or purchased on a self medication basis were NSAIDs, paracetamol and anti-microbial drugs.

Patient health awareness programs and pharmacist continuing education are necessary in Palestine.