RESUMO
Background: The use of over the counter medications (OTC) has been reported to be on rise internationally. The OTC drug market in India currently ranks 11th in the global OTC market. Since Indian patients have a huge tendency of self-treatment, the Indian market is characterized by a huge demand for OTC drugs. Hence the current study is undertaken to know the practices of over the counter medication among college students.Methods: Institutional based cross sectional study carried out in Pharmacy College and all interested students were included with sample size of 141. Data was collected by interview method by using questionnaire. Results were presented in percentages using SPSS statistical package version 23.Results: Subjects were opting for the over the counter medication. Most common drugs dispensed were cough remedies (52.4%) followed by antibiotics (38.2%). Most (47.5%) common source of medication was parents.Conclusions: Majority of the students were opting for the over the counter medication and it is need of the hour to improve the knowledge regarding its adverse effects and about rationale use of drugs and drug resistance
RESUMO
Objective:The aim of this study was to measure the value of over-the-counter (OTC) pravastatin as a healthcare-related item by investigating the public's willingness to pay(WTP)in self-medication for the primary prevention of myocardial infarction (MI)if pravastatin were switched to OTC status.<br>Methods:A questionnaire survey was distributed among those receiving health checkups at Kitasato Institute Hospital. For the WTP question format, the double-bound dichotomous choice approach was employed. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups. Group A was provided with a starting price per month of \5,000, group B with \8,000, and group C with \12,000. To investigate factors affecting WTP, Weibull regression analysis was used.<br>Results:The questionnaire survey was completed by 242 individuals(150 men, age range 30-82 years), and the mean WTP was \9,583 per month. Weibull regression analysis showed that age significantly affected WTP. The monthly cost for a physician consultation to receive prescribed pravastatin is \3,540 to \6,590 in the Japanese health insurance system.<br>Conclusion:The WTP was about \10,000 per month, and the WTP based on the questionnaire responses was more than two-fold higher than the present cost for a physician visit. This study clarified the WTP if pravastatin for the primary prevention of MI were switched to OTC status. Further studies are necessary to elucidate whether this would contribute to the promotion of self-medication among Japanese.