A Study of the Association between Activities Concerning Medicines and the Recognition of Self-medication by Participants of an OTC Promotion Education Event / 社会薬学

ABSTRACT

This study aims to examine the recognition and practice of self-medication, stockpiling of medicine, attitudes when choosing over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, and provision of information services about medicine by pharmacists and registered OTC-medicine sellers. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted at an OTC promotion education event. As a result, it was the stockpiling of leftover prescription drugs and the practice of self-medication that were associated with the recognition of self-medication. Also relevant to the practice of self-medication were age, awareness of self-medication, stockpiling of leftover prescription medications, and viewing of OTC drug package inserts. This suggests that it is necessary to consider the enlightenment method and contents according to the age stage of the target for self-medication, and whether or not to read the package insert of OTC drugs should be practiced for self-medication. It was considered that it could be used as a concrete action index to show. Based on the results of the stockpile of prescription drugs left over, it is necessary to further investigate the understanding of prescription drugs by non-professionals and how to deepen their understanding. In order to disseminate and enlighten self-medication, it is necessary not only to enlighten OTC drugs but also to promote a correct understanding of prescription drugs at the same time.