Abstract
Background: Prescription medication sharing is an inappropriate medication use behavior that can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events, posing a public health threat. The reported prevalence of prescription medication lending and borrowing varies by country, ranging from 6%–23% and 5%–52%, respectively. However, research on medication sharing is scant in Asian countries. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the rate of prescription medication sharing practices and investigate the associated behavioral factors, types of shared medications, and reasons for sharing among adults in South Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered survey of 1,000 adults (aged 19–69 years; November 2020). A stratified sampling method was used to select survey participants from a nationwide consumer panel, which ensured a representative distribution of the Korean population by age, gender, and region. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the information related to sharing behavior. Results: A total of 1,000 respondents participated in this study. The mean age of the respondents was 44.7 years (standard deviation [SD], 13.4), ranging from 20 to 69 years. The rate of medication sharing was 52.4%. The most prevalently shared medications were analgesic, antipyretic, and antimigraine medications. Prescription medications were shared mostly between family and relatives. Older age was a predictive factor for sharing analgesics. Lower educational level was a predictive factor for sharing ophthalmic medications. Conclusions: Approximately one in two respondents in our study have experienced medication sharing in their lifetime. Future studies are needed to establish evidence-based strategies for patient education and improve the medication use process. Healthcare professionals should assess patients’ needs for accessing medications and be ready to educate and guide them with specific action plans. Policymakers should consider patient empowerment strategies including public education and campaigns to avoid potential adverse outcomes of medication sharing.
Highlights
Medication sharing is defined as lending or borrowing medication (Daniel et al, 2003)
When the shared medication requires a prescription from healthcare providers, this phenomenon is referred to as “prescription medication sharing” (Daniel et al, 2003)
Prescription medication sharing is an inappropriate medication use behavior that can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events
Summary
Medication sharing is defined as lending or borrowing medication (Daniel et al, 2003). The reported prevalence of prescription medication lending and borrowing varies by country, ranging from 6 to 23% and 5%–52%, respectively (Beyene et al, 2014). Prescription medication sharing is an inappropriate medication use behavior that can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events. Prevalent medication sharing at the community level poses a public health threat (Goldsworthy et al, 2008). Prescription medication sharing is an inappropriate medication use behavior that can lead to medication errors and adverse drug events, posing a public health threat. The reported prevalence of prescription medication lending and borrowing varies by country, ranging from 6%–23% and 5%–52%, respectively. This study aimed to describe the rate of prescription medication sharing practices and investigate the associated behavioral factors, types of shared medications, and reasons for sharing among adults in South Korea
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