Association between Understanding Proper Use of Over-the-counter Cold Medicines and Choosing Source of Information when Purchasing these Medicines / 社会薬学

We explored the association between understanding a proper use of over-the-counter cold medicines and a choice of information source to purchase such medicines. We conducted an internet survey in March 2011 regarding false perceptions about cold medicines as well as understanding of package inserts. Respondents (20〜69 years old)to the main survey were individuals who purchased cold medicines based on TV commercials (CM group) and those who purchased these medications in consultation with pharmacists (consultation group). We surveyed 121 and 159 respondents in the CM and consultation groups, respectively. We calculated the principal component scores for false perceptions of cold medicines and the respondents’ understanding of the package inserts. The median scores were 0.20 (CM group) and -0.08 (consultation group) false perceptions, and -0.18 (CM group) and 0.15 (consultation group) for understanding. The Mann-Whitney <i>U</i>-test revealed that the CM group had more misconceptions regarding cold medicines compared with the consultation group (<i>P</i><0.001). Furthermore, the consultation group acquired greater understanding of the package inserts than the reference CM group (<i>P</i>＝0.005). These results suggest an association between understanding the proper use of over-the-counter cold medicines and choice sources of information on purchasing these medicines. They further suggest that a lack of knowledge or understanding of cold medicines does not lead to consultations with a pharmacist about the purchase.

Clinical Use of Antibiotics in General Hospitals / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the use of antibiotics in general hospitals of Ningbo. METHODS Totally 4 391 case history records in April,2004 of 12 hospitals were investigated on the use of antibiotics. RESULTS Medicines incomes accounted for 55.16% in total revenue in a hospital,and antibiotics accounted for 32.66% among medicines incomes.Antibiotics using rate was 62.11% in internal medicine departments.The percentage of antibiotics using without evidence was 23.92%,the combined antibiotics using rate was 49.89%.The average duration for antibiotics using was 10.83 days.Antibiotics using rate in surgery departments before operation was 71.00%,during operation was 20.48%,the combined antibiotics using rate during operation was 14.50%,antibiotics using rate after operation was 96.55%.Antibiotics using for treatment accounted for 62.37% and for prevention was 24.17%. CONCLUSIONS Antibiotics using rate is high in hospitals in Ningbo.Income of medicine is also an important part of total revenue in a hospital.We should pay more attention to management on clinical use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics Utilization among Non-surgical Patients in Respiratory Department of Our Hospital / 中华医院感染学杂志

OBJECTIVE To find out the actual situations of antibiotics utilization in Respiratory Department of our hospital and provide feedback of improper applications to the clinic,so as to promote proper utilization of antibiotics.METHODS To take samples from clinical cases of 141 samples in Oct to Nov 2006 and fill the forms of the basic information and investigation items of General Hospital of Chinese People′s Armed Police Forces,the cases were finally sorted and summarized with Excel.RESULTS The antibiotics utilization ratio was 96.5%,their combination usage accounted for 70.2%,the etiology detection rate was 61.7%,the improper usage accounted for 34.8%.CONCLUSIONS The situation of antibiotics utilization in our hospital has changed a lot.Hospitals should define regulations and reinforce the management according to The Principle Guidelines of Antibiotics Utilization and actual situations.