Tomasz Zaprutko1, Dorota Koligat2, Michał Michalak3, Marta Wieczorek4, Malwina Józiak4, Monika Ratajczak4, Kinga Szydłowska4, Joanna Miazek4, Krzysztof Kus2, Elżbieta Nowakowska2. 1. Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: tomekzaprutko@ump.edu.pl. 2. Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland. 3. Department of Computer Sciences and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland. 4. Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs became a global public health concern. Although abuse with dextrometorphan (DXM), pseudoefedrine (PSD), codeine (COD) or benzydamine (BND) may lead even to psychosis, drugs containing these substances are relatively cheap and freely available. In Poland the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in 2015, however it seems that there are still some points which could be improved. METHODS: Study was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015 using a specially designed questionnaire delivered to pharmacists from the Greater Poland region. Questionnaire consisting of 11 closed questions was distributed by direct contact and via the Internet. From over 2500 distributed questionnaires, we received 761 sheets and 680 were included. RESULTS: The misuse of OTC drugs is increasing in Poland from pharmacists point of view. The most popular substance was PSD followed by COD and DXM. The main reason of misuse of these drugs could be related to the use of Internet and free access to these medications. In respondents (58.2%) opinion OTC drugs containing analyzed substances should be moved into the prescription status. CONCLUSIONS: The misuse of OTC drugs should be considered as a very dangerous phenomenon. Although the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in Poland in 2015, there are some facets requiring improvement. Social education may play a key role in the limitation of misuse of OTC drugs.
INTRODUCTION: The misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs became a global public health concern. Although abuse with dextrometorphan (DXM), pseudoefedrine (PSD), codeine (COD) or benzydamine (BND) may lead even to psychosis, drugs containing these substances are relatively cheap and freely available. In Poland the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in 2015, however it seems that there are still some points which could be improved. METHODS: Study was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015 using a specially designed questionnaire delivered to pharmacists from the Greater Poland region. Questionnaire consisting of 11 closed questions was distributed by direct contact and via the Internet. From over 2500 distributed questionnaires, we received 761 sheets and 680 were included. RESULTS: The misuse of OTC drugs is increasing in Poland from pharmacists point of view. The most popular substance was PSD followed by COD and DXM. The main reason of misuse of these drugs could be related to the use of Internet and free access to these medications. In respondents (58.2%) opinion OTC drugs containing analyzed substances should be moved into the prescription status. CONCLUSIONS: The misuse of OTC drugs should be considered as a very dangerous phenomenon. Although the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in Poland in 2015, there are some facets requiring improvement. Social education may play a key role in the limitation of misuse of OTC drugs.
Authors: Tomasz Zaprutko; Dorota Kopciuch; Anna Paczkowska; Józefina Sprawka; Julia Cynar; Monika Pogodzińska; Katarzyna Niewczas; Aleksandra Stolecka; Maria Sygit; Michał Michalak; Piotr Ratajczak; Krzysztof Kus Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-10-13 Impact factor: 3.752