Compliance, Chemist prescribing and  Self–medication in urban Ahmedabad:  Problems and Perspectives

Alpesh J. Patel; Chetna K. Desai; Mira K. Desai; M.P. Patel; R.K. Dikshit

Volume : II, Issue : VIII, August - 2013

Compliance, Chemist prescribing and Self–medication in urban Ahmedabad: Problems and Perspectives

Alpesh J. Patel, Chetna K. Desai, Mira K. Desai, M. P. Patel, R. K. Dikshit

Abstract :

Objective: Incompliance, chemist prescribing and self-medication are prevalent in all societies. These may have a significant impact on public health and treatment outcome. A rapid urbanization may also change the drug utilization pattern. Therefore, this study was undertaken to evaluate patient compliance, chemist prescribing and self-medication in urban Ahmedabad. Methods: The study was conducted at five retail pharmacies over a period of nine months. Data of 200 patients visiting each of these pharmacies was recorded and analyzed. Results: Data obtained from 1000 patients showed that 64% (643) patients had a written prescription while 36% had none. Out of 643 patients, most (89%) bought all the drugs as prescribed while only 11% did not take all the drugs or bought them for a shorter (than prescribed) duration. Reasons for incompliance were cost (�not enough money�), wait and watch policy (�shall buy later�), already in possession (�from earlier prescription�) and dislike for a particular dosage form (e.g. �liquids�). Out of the remaining 357 patients that did not have a prescription, 72% asked for drugs on their own (self-medication), while 28% sought the chemist advice. Common complaints for the chemist advice were pain, cold and cough, diarrhoea, fever, hyperacidity, conjunctivitis, motion sickness, generalized weakness and oral ulcers. Commonly advised drugs by chemist were analgesics, cough/cold preparations, antidiarrhoeals, antipyretics, antacids/antiulcer drugs, antispasmodics, eye/ear antibacterial drops, vitamins and antiemetics. Common ailments for self-medication were pain, hypertension, cold and cough, fever, hyperacidity, weakness, diarrhea etc. Commonly asked drugs for self-medication were analgesics, cough/cold preparations, antihypertensives, antacids/antiulcer drugs, skin preparations, vitamins, antipyretics, anti bacterials, antidiarrhoeals, antidiabetic agents, anxiolytics/antidepressants etc. Conclusion:The study suggests that incompliance is not a major issue in urban areas. Self-medication and chemist prescribing are quite common. A chemist, therefore, assumes crucial role in providing proper guidance to the patient.