Abstract

PHARMSELFQUEST: MAPPING SELF MEDICATION LANDSCAPES AMONGST GRADUATING PHARMACISTS

Priyadarshini M.*, Vinay R. and Anjila Niroula

ABSTRACT

Background: Self medication combined with medical knowledge and rational application has reduced burden on healthcare professionals but it can also puts the patients at high risk of adverse effect, may also Conceal the symptom of chronic disease making them difficult to detect and ultimately treat. Aim: The study aimed to assess the pattern of self-medication and factors associated with self- medication practice among pharmacy students of different pharmacy colleges in Bangalore. Methodology: Community based observational study conducted for a period of six months. Involving 300-400 pharmacy students of age 18-30 years who were willing to give informed consent. A pre validated questionnaire was used for the assessment of practice and data from the questionnaire were evaluated and statistically analyzed. Results: A total of 385 participants completed the questionnaire in which 140 (36.4%) students were from Pharm. D, 166 (43.1%) B. Pharm, 68 (17.7%) D. Pharm and 11 (2.9%) M. Pharm. The incidence of self-medication were very high. 73.5% of students favored self-medication. The result indicated that the students main reasons for self-medication were symptoms not being severe, high consultation fees of doctor and doctor/ clinic being far from home. The influence of knowledge of pharmacy towards self medication made aware of dose and dosage (43.1%), become more cautious about drugs (31.4%) and become aware of adverse drug reactions (19.5%). The most common condition for Self medication were cold and cough, headache, body pain and fever and diarrhea. Pain killers, cough syrups, antibiotics and antipyretics were the most commonly used drugs. About 21.3% (82) of the participants experienced adverse effects after using self- medication. Most of them visited doctor to treat their adverse effects and some of them stopped taking the medicines. Conclusion: Self-medication was found to be a common practice among pharmacy students. Basic knowledge about the drugs among pharmacy students influenced them to self-medicate. Pharmacy knowledge made them more cautious of drug, dose, dosage and adverse drug reactions.

Keywords: Self-medication, ADR, Side effects.