Volume :
6
Issue :
2
Abstract :
The aim of our study was to assess the knowledge of medical students about OTC drugs.
Materials & methods
150 students who are in 2nd year MBBS studying at MVJ Medical College and Research Hospital, Hoskote were given a questionnaire covering about awareness & various aspects on usage of OTC drugs & responses obtained were noted.
Results
120 (80%) students knew that OTC means Non-prescription drugs. Among 150 students, only (54%) used OTC & majority of them have taken treatment from physician in the past 6 months. The frequently reported illness that prompted self-medication included respiratory diseases [cough, cold, sore throat, pharyngitis, tonsillitis etc.] & viral fever. Majority of them obtained OTC by telling the drug name - self decision (64%), telling symptom (11.33%), showing old prescription (8.66%) & 10 (6.66%) students have practiced self-medication by advice from an herbalist / Ayurveda. Most common reasons for self-medication was its less time consuming (43.33%) & previous experience of similar illness (26.66%) which lead to repeated use of self-medication for same problem in (82%) students. Commonly used self-medication was analgesic (97.33%). Gastrointestinal side effects (47.33%) & sedation (39.33%) were more with OTC drugs used. We have found that (51.33%) people share OTC among relatives and friends. About (81.33%) students were aware about precautions to be taken as per instructions & label, whereas (57.33%) students knew about possible drug interactions / contraindications of OTC drugs.
Conclusion
Even though self-medication was not common among our students because most of them were aware about OTC drugs their advantages & disadvantages, it’s inevitable to stop its usage among the public. The intervention will require better education of public and health professionals to avoid the irrational use of drugs.