Abstract
Self-medication may be associated with side effects and increases the chance of drug interactions and also affects the potency of treatment and quality of life. This study aims to estimate knowledge, attitude and pharmacy practices concerning the usage of the drugs without prescription and identifying demographic factors that could influence self-medication among the consumers of community pharmacy in Derna- Libya. Cross-sectional study was conducted among 389 participants randomly selected depending on multi-stage random sampling technique. Data were collected by using a structured questionnaire distributed over 10 different regions in Derna city. This study continued over2 months, in our result 215 (55.3%) of total participant used the self medication, most of them were male, the mean age of participants was 37.40±13.190 ranged from 14 to 83 years, most of participants 179(46%) were in university level, 235(60.4%) were in low-income level and 214(55%) were employee. In our result 111(28.5%) of participants had low level of knowledge regarding the safety of self-medication, 186 (47.8%) don’t known OTC medication and prescription only medication. Based on the attitude total score 215 participants had negative attitude toward self-medications, 159(40.9%) always purchase the medication without prescription, the most common reason for taking self-medication was that there was no need to visit the doctor for minor illness. And the most of medication dispensed without prescription were analgesics antipyretics for cases of cold and flu as well as in pain. Pharmacy practices were good, most of pharmacist provided information about drug interactions if taking this medicine without a prescription (84.6%) and did not face difficulties to find information about the medicine.
Highlights
Self-medication is the use of medicinal products by the individuals to treat self-recognized disorders or symptoms, it involves the intermittent or continuous use of a medication prescribed by doctors for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms[1].Serious side effects, drug resistance, some illnesses and even mortality are its problem; the financial costs increased by individuals and governments are often very high[2].The term over-the-counter (OTC) is used to describe the medicines
The questionnaire consisted of personal information and other question related to knowledge, attitude, and practices of prescribed and non-prescribed medicines
In general pharmacy practices is very good, most of pharmacist provided information about drug interactions if taking this medicine without a prescription (84.6%) and did not face difficulties to find information about the medicine (91.3%) (Table 8)
Summary
Self-medication is the use of medicinal products by the individuals to treat self-recognized disorders or symptoms, it involves the intermittent or continuous use of a medication prescribed by doctors for chronic or recurring diseases or symptoms[1].Serious side effects, drug resistance, some illnesses and even mortality are its problem; the financial costs increased by individuals and governments are often very high[2].The term over-the-counter (OTC) is used to describe the medicines. There has been a tendency for the public to perceive OTC medicines to be safer than prescription medicines[4,5,6], but it has been recognized that OTC medicines have the potential for harm as well as benefit[7]. This may result in what has been variously referred to as the misuse or abuse of OTC medicines and their potential to cause addiction and dependency[7]. The use of prescription medications is helpful to treat illnesses when they are used under the advice of physicians for appropriate diagnoses .it has been reported that self -medication is common practice among consumers in different developing countries, and purchasing the prescription medications without a prescription[10,11]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
