Assessment of the medicines use pattern among the general public in the state of Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

AbstractObjectivesThis study aims to evaluate the pattern of medicines use among the general public on Penang Island, Malaysia, and to evaluate the association between medicines used and the demographic characteristics of the participants.MethodA cross‐sectional study was conducted among 1000 subjects from the general public in Penang Island. The majority of subjects (n = 888) completed the survey, giving a response rate of 88.8%. A convenience sampling method was used to invite the respondents to participate in this survey. A self‐administered questionnaire was used to obtain the data from all the respondents.ResultThis study showed that most respondents commonly used vitamins and minerals (53%), pain relievers (38.5%), health supplements (35.5%) and herbal beverages (27.1%), while 34.1% of them reported using antibiotics and 14.8% reported using chronic medicines for their chronic diseases. Both socio‐demographic data and the presence of chronic diseases were significantly associated with using medicines (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe use of some medicines is common among the general public of Penang Island, Malaysia. Nowadays, many people tend to use medicines to prevent future disease or to decrease the symptoms of diseases, especially chronic diseases. Additional steps must be taken to increase the awareness of medicine use in terms of their side effects and interactions, as well as to foster a better understanding of appropriate and safe use of medicines. This is an important issue to strengthen the quality use of medicines among Malaysians.