Role Of Pharmacist Research Articles

Closing the Tobacco Treatment Gap: A Qualitative Study of Tobacco Cessation Service Implementation in Community Pharmacies.

Tobacco use remains a leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality, with pharmacotherapy and counseling recognized as effective cessation aids. Yet, the potential role of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians in tobacco cessation services is underutilized. This study explores the integration of such services in community pharmacies, identifying facilitators and barriers to their implementation. A qualitative study was conducted across seven community pharmacies in California that were affiliated with the Community Pharmacy Enhanced Services Network. Participants included 22 pharmacists and 26 pharmacy technicians/clerks who completed tobacco cessation training. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focusing on experiences with implementing cessation services. The analysis was guided by Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations Theory. MAXQDA software was used for data management and thematic analysis. Sixteen pharmacy personnel participated in the study, highlighting key themes around the integration of cessation services. Compatibility with existing workflows, the importance of staff buy-in, and the crucial role of pharmacy technicians emerged as significant facilitators. Challenges included the complexity of billing for services, software limitations for documenting tobacco use and cessation interventions, and gaps in training for handling complex patient cases. Despite these barriers, pharmacies successfully initiated cessation services, with variations in service delivery and follow-up practices. Community pharmacies represent viable settings for delivering tobacco cessation services, with pharmacists and technicians playing pivotal roles. However, systemic changes are needed to address challenges related to billing, documentation, and training. Enhancing the integration of cessation services in community pharmacies could significantly impact public health by increasing access to effective cessation support.

A qualitative exploration of the role of a palliative care pharmacist providing home-based care in the rural setting, from the perspective of health care professionals.

Pharmacists are often not recognised as a core part of palliative care teams, despite their ideal placement to assist with the burden of medication management. This study explored the role of pharmacists working in the rural palliative care team, in the home-based setting. Health care professionals working with palliative care patients in rural South Australia participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Data from 20 participants identified 10 themes. Theme 1: This model of care gives patients a choice. Theme 2: The pharmacist is a trusted source of support and information. Theme 3: Patient, carer and family distress is reduced. Theme 4: Enables patients to stay at home by improving medication knowledge and decreasing burden; 4.1-Patient, carer and family's understanding about medication management is improved, 4.2-Patient, carer and family travel is decreased, 4.3-Burden associated with getting to the doctor is decreased. Theme 5: Communication between all parties is enhanced; 5.1-Enhanced communication between the patient and health care team, 5.2-Enhanced communication within the health care team. Theme 6: Patient, carer and family burden of coordinating prescriptions and medications is reduced. Theme 7: Benefits health care professionals by improving medication knowledge, reducing workload and stress; 7.1-Understanding about medications and their management is improved, 7.2-Workload is reduced, 7.3-Work-related stress is reduced. Theme 8: The disparity of care between rural and urban patients is reduced. Theme 9: Helps to address rural workforce shortages. Theme 10: Challenges of this model of care; 10.1-A need for greater pharmacist capacity to meet demand, 10.2-A need for increased and sustained funding for the pharmacist role, 10.3-Large amount of travel to get to patients. Rural health care professionals are supportive of pharmacists working as part of the palliative care team in home-based settings and identified many benefits of this model of care.

The roles of French community pharmacists in palliative home care

BackgroundThe World Health Organization identifies pharmacists as a key resource in palliative care. However, the roles of these professionals in end-of-life care at home remain poorly understood, and community pharmacists themselves sometimes struggle to recognize their true role in this care. The aim of our study was to analyze community pharmacists’ representations of their roles in palliative care at home in France.MethodsThe methodology was qualitative and based on semi-structured interviews with community pharmacists (n = 26). The analysis of the interviews was carried out using a qualitative content approach with thematic and lexical analysis.ResultsThree main elements of the community pharmacist’s role were identified: drug expertise, care management, and psychosocial support for patients and their families.ConclusionsThis study highlights a wide variety of roles adopted by French community pharmacists in palliative care at home. Some of these roles, which are in line with WHO recommendations on palliative care, have been little described to date. These roles of community pharmacists in home-based palliative care could be better recognized, and the players better integrated into end-of-life care systems at home, in order to improve such care.Trial registrationThis work was carried out within the framework of a call for projects from the Fondation de France and has received the approval of the University Clermont Auvergne Research Ethics Committee (no. IRB00011540-2021-60).

The Role of Pharmacists in Counteracting Vaccine Hesitancy: Effectiveness of the 2019 Carnia Project in Improving Adherence to Influenza Vaccination among Target Population.

Vaccine hesitancy has been included among the top ten threats to global health by the World Health Organization. Pharmacists can play a pivotal role in removing the individual barrier to vaccination, because of the relationship of trust they have with citizens and their ease of access. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of a pharmacy-based intervention to support the 2019 influenza vaccination campaign conducted in the Carnia district through one-to-one counseling. We analyzed data collected by pharmacists between 22 October 2019 and 20 January 2020, and trends in vaccination adherence in the context of the Local Health Authority and the entire province of Udine since 2016. The results showed that 77.2% of people who had not received an influenza vaccination in the previous year changed their minds about vaccination after receiving counseling. The pharmacy-based intervention improved influenza vaccination adherence in the target district (+13.4%), even when compared to the neighboring district of Gemona or considering the data in the broader local and provincial context, and this effect was particularly pronounced among those aged 65 to 74 years (p < 0.01). Considering these findings, pharmacies should be more effectively involved in the provision of public health services aimed at improving accessibility, timeliness, and equity.

Community Pharmacists’ Perceptions of the most Important Interventions Implemented in Supporting Breastfeeding Women During Maternal Life: A Cross-Sectional Study in Jordan

Objectives: The purpose of this cross-sectional study is to investigate and analyze community pharmacists' perspectives on the most essential interventions implemented to support breastfeeding women during their maternal life in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed using a self-administered survey. A convenience sample (n = 381) of community pharmacists was recruited via social media resources. Responses were subject to various statistical analyses using SPSS. Key Findings: In the study with 381 participants, the majority were females (86.4%, n=329) aged between 23 and 30 (78.7%, n=300). A total of 55.1% (n=210) had previous breastfeeding experience. Pharmacists (65.9%, n=251) stressed the significance of health education for improved breastfeeding support. During prenatal care, 42% (n=160) underscored the importance of engaging parents, while 37% (n=141) highlighted the need for additional lactation support during the delivery stage. Finally, 34.4% (n=131) identified serving as an informational resource for the "mother-baby dyad" as being crucial in the postnatal stage. Conclusions: The study spotlights the critical role of pharmacists in breastfeeding support, underscoring the importance of tailored interventions based upon their demographics and perceptions. These insights provide invaluable guidance for optimizing community pharmacists' contributions to maternal care.

The Role of Pharmacists in Opioid Addiction Management

Opioid addiction claims thousands of lives every year in the United States. The prevalence of misuse, abuse, and overdose continues to rise despite the measures and initiatives taken by the federal government and other government agencies to manage the problem. These efforts have led to a re-evaluation of the role different healthcare providers can play to ensure the problem is adequately addressed. Being one of the most accessible healthcare providers to patients under opioid therapy, pharmacists are better positioned to deal with opioid addiction. They dispense millions of opioids every year making them better positioned to screen for patients who are likely to develop an addiction problem and refer them to treatment resources before the abuse escalates to opioid use disorder (OUD). The aim of this review is to explore the role of pharmacists in opioid addiction management including prevention, screening, education, naloxone prescribing, counselling, and referral to treatment resources. The review also provides pertinent information regarding the current state of the opioid crisis in the US, including recent data on prevalence and opioid-related deaths. Exploring the role of pharmacists is instrumental in coming up with effective measures that can help in opioid addiction management. Keywords: opioids, opioid addiction management, pharmacists, opioid misuse, opioid abuse, opioid use disorder

Patient perspectives on the vital primary care role of community pharmacists in Nova Scotia, Canada: qualitative findings from the PUPPY Study.

Community pharmacists play an important role in primary care access and delivery for all patients, including patients with a family physician or nurse practitioner ("attached") and patients without a family physician or nurse practitioner ("unattached"). During the COVID-19 pandemic, community pharmacists were accessible care providers for unattached patients and patients who had difficulty accessing their usual primary care providers ("semi-attached"). Before and during the pandemic, pharmacist services expanded in several Canadian provinces. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore patient experiences receiving care from community pharmacists, and their perspectives on the scope of practice of community pharmacists. Fifteen patients in Nova Scotia, Canada, were interviewed. Participant narratives pertaining to pharmacist care were analyzed thematically. Attached, "semi-attached," and unattached patients valued community pharmacists as a cornerstone of care and sought pharmacists for a variety of health services, including triaging and system navigation. Patients spoke positively about expanding the scope of practice for community pharmacists, and better optimization of pharmacists in primary care. System decision-makers should consider the positive role community pharmacists can play in achieving primary care across the Quintuple Aim (population health, patient and provider experiences, reducing costs, and supporting equity in health).

Exploring the role of community pharmacies as a harm reduction environment for anabolic-androgenic steroid consumers: triangulating the perspectives of consumers and pharmacists.

While community pharmacies have been successful in providing harm reduction support for illicit substance consumers, little research has explored their role in addressing the needs of anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) consumers. This study aimed to triangulate the attitudes and experiences of AAS consumers and community pharmacist's regarding AAS harm reduction. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with AAS consumers (n = 8) and community pharmacists (n = 15) between December 2022 and August 2023 in Australia. Interview data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. While consumers emphasised easy access to pharmacies, particularly in urban areas, challenges were noted in rural regions. AAS consumers expressed a preference for community pharmacies, perceiving them as less confronting and a feasible avenue for accessing professional advice, highlighting the potential role of pharmacists in nurturing therapeutic alliances with AAS consumers. Similarly, pharmacists expressed receptivity to providing harm reduction information but acknowledged knowledge gaps, suggesting a need for tailored education programs to support AAS consumers effectively. Community pharmacies can be an important environment for AAS harm reduction. Strategies include utilising private spaces for open discussions with AAS consumers and enhancing pharmacists' understanding of AAS to foster trust and support. Further research is needed to address knowledge gaps and training needs for pharmacy staff, with the aim of creating a safer environment for AAS consumers.

A qualitative study exploring the challenges and enablers of pharmacists with a recent background in community pharmacy transitioning into primary care.

Pharmacists are an increasing part of the primary care health care team in Scotland. Recruitment to this expanding sector has largely come from community pharmacy. However, it is unknown if these pharmacists have specific needs to perform their role within the primary care team. To explore the perceived challenges and enablers of community pharmacists transitioning into primary care pharmacist roles. Eight pharmacists (5 female, 3 male, median age 32) across Scotland's largest regional health board who previously practised in community pharmacy participated in a recorded, semi-structured interview via Microsoft Teams® to explore their challenges and enablers of transition into primary care. Recordings were transcribed, verified, and thematic analysis then undertaken. Five themes were identified: challenging transition, transferable skills, transferable training from community pharmacy, training needs for primary care role, and benefits of structured learning. Participants reported lack of opportunity to apply their clinical knowledge and for professional development in community pharmacy. Pharmacists in our study reported a range of challenges (such as examination skills, improved clinical and therapeutics knowledge) required to practice in primary care, while their regular patient contact and knowledge of community pharmacy workings enabled their transition. Previous sectors of practice should be taken into consideration when inducting pharmacists into a new role and background specific inductions may need to be implemented to support these pharmacists work autonomously at an advanced level.

Virtual reality in experiential pharmacy education: A quasi-experimental study

IntroductionExtended reality (XR) technologies are an umbrella term for simulated-based learning tools that cover 3-dimensional technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). At King Saud University, first-year pharmacy students are required to experience hospital observational training during the Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE). We aimed to measure the effectiveness and satisfaction of the VR learning experience among IPPE students. MethodsA Quasi-Experimental study was conducted. The experimental arm included first-year PharmD students. VR headset was used to watch three narrated videos capturing 360° views of the outpatient, inpatient pharmacy, and counseling clinic. A test measuring students’ general knowledge was required prior to and post the experience, followed by a satisfaction survey. The control arm included second-year PharmD students who had traditional hospital visits and were administered a knowledge test and satisfaction survey. ResultsA total of 336 students were enrolled, 174 in the experimental arm and 162 in the control arm. The results showed improvement in the knowledge scores average among the experimental arm, 1.9 vs 3.5 in the pre-test and post-test. The control arm had a comparable score with an average of 3.7. Regarding self-assessment using four 5-likert scales assessing pharmacist role, skills, and responsibilities, 31.8 % and 42 % in the experimental arm compared to 28.9 % and 28.9 % in the control group answered strongly agree and agree, respectively. Regarding satisfaction, using five 5-Likert scales assessing the experience time, quality, and content, 53 % and 25 % in the experimental group compared to 34 % and 23 % in the control group answered strongly agree and agree, respectively. ConclusionVR provides pharmacy students with a standardized and effective learning and training experience. The experimental arm reported higher satisfaction rates and self-reported outcomes. Thus, implementing VR experiences within the pharmacy curriculum will provide students with an advanced educational advantage.

Suivi des compétences des étudiants au cours du stage de pratique professionnelle en pharmacie officinale : analyse rétrospective des tableaux de bord

The aim of this work is to describe the skills considered to have been acquired by students during their professional practice placements, with particular emphasis on skills related to the new roles of pharmacists. Skills are monitored during the professional practice placement using the dashboard included in the guide designed by the college of community pharmacy placement supervisors. Each skill is assessed at three points during the placement. The assessment is carried out jointly by the student and his or her placement supervisor using the dashboard, which is available online in the form of a form on the Moodle platform. We conducted a retrospective analysis of the professional practice placement dashboards for the 2018-2019 to 2022-2023 academic years. The response levels for the three phases of the dashboard are very high, always exceeding 90% of students completing their placement. All of the scorecards show a progression in the acquisition of skills throughout the placement and enable certain skills to be distinguished in terms of their level of acquisition at the end of the placement. The focus on pharmaceutical interviews shows that the rate of acquisition of this skill is over 85% in 2021 and 2023, the years in which the subject of the public health project was the performance and quality assurance of pharmaceutical interviews in pharmacies, whereas it is no higher than 38% in the other years. Our work shows the contribution of the professional practice placement dashboard in monitoring student progress. The analysis carried out reveals different levels of mastery at the start of the placement and different levels of progress depending on the skills. It also reveals the contribution made by the intervention on the content of the placement, particularly in terms of the acquisition of certain skills, especially those related to new tasks such as conducting pharmaceutical interviews.

Opportunities and achievements — experiences of pharmacists as Foundation Residency Program residents — a qualitative study

AbstractBackgroundThe Australian Foundation Residency Program prepares new‐to‐hospital and early career pharmacists for extended roles and advanced pharmacy practice. An understanding of the outcomes residents perceive they achieve through completion of a residency and what supports them in their achievements is limited.AimTo explore pharmacists' experiences during their residency and what they perceive as its outcomes and their achievements.MethodFocus groups and interviews were conducted and recorded with 12 early career or new‐to‐hospital pharmacists who recently completed a residency program in an Australian hospital. Recordings were transcribed and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Ethical approval was granted by the University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee (Reference no: 2021/HE001225) and the study conforms to the Australian Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research. Informed consent was obtained from all participants via the distribution of project information sheets and completion of written consent forms.ResultsFive distinct themes were generated from participants' discussions of their experiences and achievements throughout their residency. The outcomes and achievements they described included gaining the confidence to take on new and challenging roles as well as advancing their career by developing a deeper understanding of their role and potential in the healthcare system. Skill development was accelerated by the structure and assessment requirements of the residency program and by support from mentors, which positively influenced their attitudes towards feedback and competency assessments. Participants reflected on the differences between postgraduate university‐based learning and workplace‐based learning and saw benefits in both.ConclusionThe residency was reported to offer a structured and supportive training pathway for pharmacists in the early stages of their hospital pharmacy career. Completion of residency facilitates pharmacists' skill development and a deeper understanding of their roles. Dedicated and qualified mentorship and routine networking events between peers and past residents enhance these experiences and outcomes for residents.

Evaluating the role of intern pharmacists in pharmaceutical care in hospitals in Uganda.

In Uganda, there is limited adoption of pharmaceutical care in hospitals due to pharmacist shortages and limited collaboration among healthcare professionals. Intern pharmacists are deployed annually to assist in patient care to address pharmacist shortages. Evaluate intern pharmacist's extent of involvement in pharmaceutical care activities, assess facilitators and barriers, and explore healthcare professionals' perceptions, attitudes, and opinions on implementation of pharmaceutical care. A mixed-method concurrent study was carried out for four months. We conducted an online survey among 107 intern pharmacists from 26 hospitals, including National Referral, Regional Referral, Private Not-For-Profit, and General hospitals; predictors of extent of involvement were identified using linear regression models, using STATA 14. 24 key informants (nurses, prescribers, pharmacists) from five hospitals were interviewed; themes were developed using a deductive thematic analysis approach. Intern pharmacists had a median (Interquartile range[IQR]) age of 25 years (25-27) and 74.7% were male. About half (54.1%) of key informants were female and had a median (IQR) of 10 years (4.0-15.5) of professional experience. Interns focused on patient counseling, lacked documentation, and showed positive attitudes, and knowledge. Key informants supported implementation, but prescribers expressed dissatisfaction with interns' performance. Enhancing pharmacy internship and training through developing policies and guidelines on pharmaceutical care practice, improving working conditions, and mentorship can address gaps impeding pharmaceutical care implementation by intern pharmacists.

Pharmacist's role in the management of drug-drug interactions caused by nirmatrelvir/ritonavir in COVID-19 oncohematology patients.

New drugs developed for SARS-CoV-2 infection, such as nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (NMV/r), represent a potential for oncohematology patients, but also pose a challenge in managing the potential clinically relevant drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) that may arise. The aim of this study is to assess the frequency, severity, and pharmacist detection of pDDIs. This prospective, observational, study spanned 8 months, involving 42 oncohematology patients prescribed NMV/r in a tertiary-level hospital. A Board Certified oncology pharmacist assessed pDDIs using three databases and made recommendations to prescribing physicians. Linear and logistic regression analyses were employed to explore the relationship between prescribed drugs and pDDIs. Clinically relevant pDDIs were detected in 76.2% of patients, with 18.1% of all medications involved in drug-drug interactions (DDIs). The most common drugs implicated were atorvastatin and imatinib. Micromedex® identified 63.3% of interactions as major severity, while Lexicomp® and University of Liverpool classifications were less restrictive. Pharmacists prevented most DDIs from reaching patients through different interventions, including treatment monitoring (44.2%), discontinuation (36.5%), and dose reduction (17.3%). This study highlights the high prevalence of clinically significant pDDIs in oncohematology patients receiving NMV/r for COVID-19. Pharmacists, as integral members of the healthcare team, played a crucial role in detecting, categorizing, and mitigating these interactions. The results underscore the need for comprehensive studies to evaluate the impact of pharmacist-led interventions in optimizing drug therapy and enhancing patient safety in this vulnerable population.

THE EFFECT OF HOME PHARMACY CARE EDUCATION ON BLOOD PRESSURE CONTROL AND KNOWLEDGE LEVEL OF HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS AT KENDALSARI PUBLIC HELATH CENTRE MALANG

Hypertension is one of the ten most common degenerative diseases and has a high mortality rate. In 2020, the prevalence of hypertension in Malang City reached 35,641 cases. The role of pharmacists as caregivers in home pharmacy care can help to control hypertension and reduce morbidity. The main objective of this study was to determine the effect of home pharmacy care on hypertension patients’ knowledge and blood pressure management. This study used a quantitative experimental design with a Randomized Control Trial method, with a total of 34 respondents divided into 2 groups: the control group and the test group of 17 respondents each. Using an accidental sampling technique. The research location was Kendalsari Public Health Centre Malang in August 2023. Blood pressure data were measured using a tensimeter, and knowledge level data were obtained using a knowledge questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using paired and pooled t-tests. The results of the analysis of the effect of home pharmacy care on the level of patient knowledge about hypertension with a significance value (2tailed) p = 0.000, and analysis of the effect of home pharmacy care on systolic and diastolic blood pressure with a significance value (2tailed) p = 0.030. The results of this study concluded that home pharmacy care for hypertensive patients had a positive effect on blood pressure control and increased knowledge at the Kendalsari Public Health Center, Malang. Keywords: Home pharmacy care, hypertension, blood pressure control, knowledge level.

Inpatients’ Experiences with Pharmacist-Led Pain Management Programs: Exploring Patients’ Perspectives on the Effectiveness and Impact of Pharmacist-Managed Pain Management Plans During Their Hospital Stay

This qualitative study explores inpatients’ experiences with pharmacist-led pain management programs in a hospital setting. Through semi-structured interviews, 15 participants’ perspectives on the effectiveness and impact of pharmacist-managed pain interventions were investigated. Findings highlight the role of pharmacists in optimizing pain relief, enhancing patient communication, and improving overall hospital experiences. Participants valued pharmacist involvement in pain management, emphasizing personalized care and education. Recommendations for program enhancement include increased pharmacist presence and streamlined communication channels. This study contributes to understanding patient-centered approaches to pain management in hospital settings.

Development of a Pharmacy Point-of-Dispensing Toolkit for Anthrax Post-Exposure Prophylaxis for Allegheny County Postal Workers.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US Postal Service (USPS) consider anthrax to be a potential threat to USPS workers. A county health department-owned pharmacy supports local USPS response in the event of an exposure. The pharmacy team identified the need to review and update the local anthrax response plan. A Pharmacy Point-of-Dispensing Toolkit and response plan for initial 10-day post-exposure antibiotic prophylaxis was developed for use by a local health department in the event of a mass anthrax exposure at a US Post Office sorting facility. The pharmacist's role in medical countermeasures planning for anthrax exposure is also discussed to illustrate how pharmacists' medication expertise can be utilized. The CDC's Public Health Preparedness Capabilities: National Standards for State and Local Planning framework and inputs from an interprofessional stakeholder team were used to develop a Medical Countermeasures Response Plan and Implementation Toolkit for mass point-of-dispensing (POD) in the event of an anthrax exposure. Stakeholders attended a USPS Community Partner Training event where additional revisions to the toolkit were made. The toolkit and standing order are now implemented at the local health department to be reviewed and updated on a yearly basis by health department leadership. Pharmacists can use their medication expertise and experience with patient education to design emergency response plans focused on increasing patient safety and medication adherence. Pharmacists should be involved in emergency response and medical countermeasures planning that involve medications.

Bullous pemphigoid is a rare autoimmune skin disease that affects the scalp: A case report

AbstractPemphigoid, a rare autoimmune skin disease affecting the elderly, requires effective pharmacy management. This includes medication therapy, patient education, and counseling. Understanding pharmacokinetics and potential drug interactions are crucial for optimal treatment and minimizing adverse effects. In this case, the patient is a 65‐year‐old male who was diagnosed with pemphigoid 2 months ago. He is currently taking prednisone, an oral corticosteroid, to manage the symptoms. The pharmacist plays a crucial role in medication therapy by monitoring the patient's response to the medication and adjusting the dosage if necessary. Additionally, patient education is vital in ensuring that the patient understands the importance of adherence to the medication regimen and the potential side effects. The pharmacist can also provide counseling on lifestyle modifications and self‐care measures to alleviate symptoms and improve the quality of life. Overall, effective pharmacy management is essential for optimizing treatment outcomes and promoting patient well‐being in pemphigoid cases. The pharmacist's role in pemphigoid cases is crucial for effective medication management and patient education. They monitor the patient's response to treatment, make necessary adjustments, and empower them to take an active role in managing their condition. This approach ultimately improves the overall well‐being of patients with pemphigoid.

Here is my sequence: The pharmacist's role in interpreting pharmacogenomic results

Here is my sequence: The pharmacist's role in interpreting pharmacogenomic results

The prevalence and causes of self-medication among medical university students in Iran during COVID-19 outbreak and its implications for public health and health systems: A cross-sectional study.

Self-medication is a worldwide phenomenon that brings advantages and disadvantages to public health and health systems. This study investigated the extent and causes of self-medication among medical university students and its implications for public health in Iran in 2020. The present study was designed as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that examined the knowledge, attitude, and practice of self-medication. The population of the study was the students of health sciences programs who all entered the study. The data collection tool included a questionnaire designed online and available to students. The content validity ratio of the questionnaire was 0.84, and the alpha Cronbach coefficient was calculated at 0.8936. The prevalence of self-medication among medical university students was 19%. The most common reason for self-medication was the safety of medicines (66.67%). The most usual form of medication used was the tablet (35.67%), the most common drug taken was acetaminophen (69.01%), and the most common disease to self-medicate for was headache (67.36%). Estimating the odds ratio of self-medication with demographic variables showed no relationship. However, after adjusting the variables, age and type of degree showed an association with self-medication, as the older participants and postgraduate students had positive attitudes toward self-medication. Self-medication may be helpful, but it often needs proper guidance and logic and can carry various risks. Considering that medical sciences students will be influential in society in the future, it is necessary to pay more attention to correcting their drug use culture and providing access to health services for everyone. Appropriate prescription of medicines, controlling drug sales in pharmacies, highlighting the role of pharmacists in safe self-medication, and controlling the prevalence of self-medication is necessary.