A cross-sectional evaluation of behavior and attitude of pharmacists toward dispensing non-OTC drugs without prescription in a city of Southern Rajasthan

Background: Over the counter (OTC), drugs are found to be safe and appropriate for use without supervision of a healthcare professional such as physician and they can be purchased by consumers without prescription. The study gains its importance because of the spreading of misuse of antibiotics and various drugs adverse drug reactions in the society. Aims and Objectives: The main aim of the study is to observe as to how many pharmacists/chemists/drug store sellers follow or violate the drug cosmetic act. Materials and Methods: It is an observational and cross-sectional study conducted among pharmacies of Udaipur city, urban areas of Southern Rajasthan. The study includes a sample size of 200 pharmacies selected through convenient random sampling. A detailed semi-structured questionnaire is administered to the pharmacists. The set of questions include types of drugs, reason for dispensing, knowledge, and attitude of pharmacist toward dispensing non-OTC drugs. All the private pharmacies willing to participate were included in the study. Data are entered in Microsoft Excel and statistically analyzed. Results: The results throw light on the behavior and pattern of dispensing habits of the drug store sellers of the city of Udaipur, Southern Rajasthan. It was observed that many pharmacists are in fact in the habit of dispensing non-OTC drugs in almost all the areas. Conclusions: Results give insights about the groups of drugs, logic, behavior, and knowledge level of pharmacists involved in dispensing practices in the city of Udaipur. There should be structured educational campaigns (or use of media, internet, newspaper, radio, television, advertisements, mobiles, etc.) for both pharmacists and public.

Status Quo and Prospects for Introducing GPP into Domestic Retail Pharmacies / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To promote the introduction of‘Good Pharmacy Practice’(GPP).METHODS:The background and main contents of GPP and the relationship between GPP and Managerial standard of social drugstores(GSP)were intro?duced;the status quo,problems and prospects of GPP practices were discussed as well.RESULTS&CONCLUSION:It is a necessary trend to push ahead GPP for the domestic retail pharmacies though there is a long way to go.