Patients' knowledge about the "Rx - to - OTC" switch process in Bulgaria

Abstract

Introduction The OTC drugs provide consumers with an easy access to health solutions and alternatives, keeping the main goal of the medicines – to be safe and effective. Increasing the patients’ empowerment in managing their own health, enhancing knowledge about a disease status is a major factor that has contributed to constantly growing the OTC-business worldwide. Moreover, the increasing economic burden of national health care systems has to be accounted for. In consequence, a rising number of Rx-to-OTC switches is currently seen all over the world. Having started in the 2nd half of the 20th century, the Rx-to-OTC movement now seems to have reached a new “era”: there is a trend in self-medication from treating acute, easily recognizable, and self-limiting conditions in the past, towards the prevention or treatment of (semi-)chronic condi-tions and risk factors today. Materials and Methods A dedicated questionnaire was developed to understand the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) of the “Rx – to – OTC” switch process implementation in Bulgaria and how the patients could improve their access to health through it without the risk of applying self-medication. Results As a major strength it can be reported that self-medication is preferred as the fastest treatment for acute, easily recognizable diseases as allergies, cough, cold, and sore throat. There could be an opportunity for providing options for self-treatment in some chronic conditions. But as a weakness it should be mentioned that OTC drugs are not affordable for many people and a trend for price increase after Rx-to-OTC switch is observed. A serious threat could be also a life-threatening condition which can be missed due to self-medication and not involving a health specialist in the treatment solution. Conclusion The Rx-to-OTC movement now is a trend in self-medication gaining more and more popularity. This evolution is obviously associated with major challenges, such as a clear definition of a successful disease management process, of conditions concerned, and the active role of the stakeholders involved. А national program for improving patients’ knowledge about “Rx – to – OTC” switch and OTC drugs at all could help improve customers’ knowledge about self-medication.