PDG52 A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS ON THE RISKS OF USING OTC PRODUCTS COMPARED TO PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

Abstract

Access to medicines in modern health systems, both on prescription and OTC, involves risks associated with side effects, drug interactions and excessive use of medicines. OTC products can potentially cause serious implications for the health of the patients. The free access to them can misleads the consumers in terms of their safety and efficacy, which can end up as unfavorable consequences.The aim of this study is to identify the potential health risks to society related to easy access to OTC products in Bulgaria. Comparative analysis of the cases of poisoning with OTC medicines belonging to the following groups: non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) - (ICD-T39) and cases of poisoning with different groups of systemic antibiotics on prescription - (ICD-T36). The study is based on data from a hospital registry of a major emergency center in Sofia, collected for a period of 5 years. The frequency distribution of cases of poisoning is analyzed in both groups by sex, age, length of hospitalization and seasonal exposure. 89,75% of 488 incidents were caused by NSAIDs and painkillers and only 10,25% by antibiotics. In both groups, women predominate – 71,46% of the cases with analgesics and 78% of those with antibiotics. Highest poisoning risk out of all OTC available are 4-aminophenol derivatives and NSAIDs. For the incidents with antibiotics leading to both sexes are the cases of ICD-T36.8. 45% of the incidents in both groups are children. 43,15% are with NSAIDs and 62% with antibiotics. OTC products taken in combination with antibiotic therapy help to increase the frequency of poisoning in both categories. Accidents caused by non-prescription products can be far more serious due to mass access and lack of control over their release as compared to prescription products.