Survey of potentially inappropriate prescriptions for common cold symptoms in Japan: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Common cold is among the main reasons patients visit a medical facility. However, few studies have investigated whether prescriptions for common cold in Japan comply with domestic and international evidence. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prescriptions for common cold complied with domestic and international evidence. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted between October 22, 2020, and January 16, 2021. Patients with cold symptoms who visited the two dispensing pharmacies and met the eligibility criteria were interviewed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The pharmacists at each store and a physician classified the patients into two groups: the potentially inappropriate prescribing group and the appropriate prescribing group. RESULTS: Of the 150 selected patients, 14 were excluded and 136 were included in the analysis. Males accounted for 44.9% of the total study population, and the median patient age was 34 years (interquartile range [IQR], 27-42). The prevalence rates of potentially inappropriate prescriptions and appropriate prescriptions were 89.0% and 11.0%, respectively and the median drug costs were 602.0 yen (IQR, 479.7-839.2) [$5.2 (IQR, 4.2-7.3)] and 406.7 yen (IQR, 194.5-537.2) [$3.5 (IQR, 1.7-4.7)], respectively. The most common potentially inappropriate prescriptions were the prescription of oral cephem antibacterial agents to patients who did not have symptoms of bacterial infections (50.4%) and ß2 stimulants to those who did not have respiratory symptoms due to underlying disease or history (33.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 90% of prescriptions for common cold symptoms in the area were potentially inappropriate. Our findings could contribute to the monitoring of the use of medicines for the treatment of common cold symptoms.

Inequalities in the health survey using validation question to filter insufficient effort responding: reducing overestimated effects or creating selection bias?

BACKGROUND: The presence of insufficient effort responding participants (IERPs) in a survey can produce systematic bias. Validation questions are commonly used to exclude IERPs. Participants were defined as IERPs if responding inconsistently to two matched validation questions, and non-insufficient effort responding participants (non-IERPs) if responding consistently. However, it has not been tested whether validation questions themselves could result in selection bias. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in Guangxi, China. Participants' intentions to use antibiotics for their children when they have self-limiting diseases, including sore throat, cold, diarrhea, and fever, were measured. The Chi-square tests were used to compare the socio-economic status (SES) between non-IERPs and IERPs. Logistic regression was adopted to test the association between intentions to misuse antibiotics and groups (non-IERPs, IERPs with high SES, and IERPs with low SES). RESULTS: Data with 3264 non-IERPs and 1543 IERPs were collected. The results showed IERPs had a lower education level (χ2 = 6.100, p = 0.047) and a higher proportion of rural residence (χ2 = 4.750, p = 0.030) compared with non-IERPs. Rural IERPs reported significantly higher rates of intentions to misuse antibiotics when their children have a sore throat (OR = 1.32; 95% CI = 1.11,1.56; p < 0.01), cold (OR = 1.33; 95%CI = 1.13,1.58; p < 0.01), diarrhea (OR = 1.46; 95%CI = 1.20,1.77; p < 0.001), and fever (OR = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.04,1.43; p < 0.05) compared with non-IERPs. IERPs living in urban areas reported significantly lower rates of intentions to use antibiotics when their children have a sore throat (OR = 0.76; 95%CI = 0.62,0.93; p < 0.01) compared with non-IERPs. IERPs with lower levels of education reported significantly higher rates of intentions to use antibiotics when their children have a sore throat (OR = 1.19; 95%CI = 1.02,1.39; p < 0.05), cold (OR = 1.43; 95% CI = 1.23,1.66; p < 0.001), diarrhea (OR = 1.38; 95%CI = 1.15,1.64; p < 0.01), and fever (OR = 1.25; 95% CI = 1.09,1.44; p < 0.01) compared with non-IERPs. IERPs with higher education levels reported significantly lower rates of intentions to use antibiotics when their children have a sore throat (OR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.56,0.94; p < 0.05), cold (OR = 0.66; 95% CI = 0.51,0.86; p < 0.01), and fever (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.60,0.92; p < 0.01) compared with non-IERPs. IERPs with low-income reported significantly higher rates of intentions to use antibiotics when their children have a cold (OR = 1.36; 95% CI = 1.13,1.64; p < 0.01) and diarrhea (OR = 1.30; 95% CI = 1.05,1.62; p < 0.05) compared with non-IERPs. CONCLUSIONS: Using validation questions to exclude IERPs can result in selection bias in which participants with lower socio-economic standing and poor antibiotic use intentions were disproportionately excluded.

Non-interventional observational study broadens positive benefit-risk assessment of an immunomodulating herbal remedy in the common cold.

Background: The unique extract of a mixture of Baptisiae tinctoriae radix, Echinaceae pallidae/purpureae radix and Thujae occidentalis herba alleviates the typical symptoms of the common cold and shortens the duration of the disease. Purpose: The risk-benefit ratio of a concentrated formulation of this herbal extract was investigated under everyday conditions. Study design: Pharmacy-based, non-interventional, multicenter, open, uncontrolled study registered at DRKS00011068. Methods: For 10 days, patients completed a diary questionnaire rating the severity of each common cold symptom on a 10-point scale. For evaluation, symptoms were combined into the scores "overall severity", "rhinitis", "bronchitis" and "general symptoms". Cox models were used to evaluate the influence of covariates on the time of stable improvement. Results: In total 955 patients (12 to 90 years) were analyzed; 85% assessed the efficacy as good or very good. Response (improvement of the overall severity by at least 50%) was reached at median day 5 (95% CImedian 5-5). General symptoms abated faster than the other complaints. The percentage of predominantly moderate or severe symptoms to predominantly mild or absent symptoms reversed on day 3.9 (interpolation). Results of adolescents and adults did not differ (p = .6013; HR = 0.918). Concomitant medication did not boost the effect of the herbal remedy. Early start of treatment of the cold accelerated the recovery (p = .0486; HR = 0.814). Thirty-four cases of adverse events were self-recorded in the diaries; none of them were serious. The tolerability was assessed as "good or very good" by 98% of the patients. Conclusion: The benefit-risk assessment of this herbal extract clearly remains positive. This non-interventional study accords with and shows transferability of the results of previous placebo-controlled studies with this extract in a real-life setting.

Antibiotic use in the management of children with the common cold at a provincial hospital in Papua New Guinea: a point-prevalence study.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic prescribing for self-limiting viral infections such as the common cold or viral upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) is irrational and increases the risk of antibiotic resistance. However, such a practice is widespread and is likely to be as common in Papua New Guinea as in many other countries. METHODS: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, children were recruited who had been diagnosed with a common cold or URTI by attending clinical staff-mostly nurses-in a provincial hospital's children's outpatient department using a standard definition. The frequency of antibiotic prescribing was determined and the clinical knowledge and practices of nurses, health extension officers, community health workers and doctors working in the children's outpatients department regarding the common cold and its management was assessed. RESULTS: One hundred and eight children diagnosed with the common cold were enrolled; 89 (82.4%) were prescribed antibiotics. Children with fever on examination, those older than 12 months and those whose symptoms lasted ≥7 days were more likely to be prescribed antibiotics. Of the health workers surveyed, 95% knew that viruses were the cause of the common cold, but 30% thought that antibiotics were needed for treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Although among healthcare workers, there was a gap between knowledge of aetiology and knowledge of appropriate management of the common cold, there was a larger apparent gap between that knowledge and practice. Findings from this study could be used to identify interventions promoting rational antibiotic use, targeting both health-care workers and the community.

In Vitro Assessment of Spray Deposition Patterns in a Pediatric (12 Year-Old) Nasal Cavity Model.

PURPOSE: Nasal sprays available for the treatment of cold and allergy symptoms currently use identical formulations and devices for adults as well as for children. Due to the obvious differences between the nasal airway dimensions of a child and those of an adult, the performance of nasal sprays in children was evaluated. METHODS: Deposition patterns of nasal sprays administered to children were tested using a nasal cast based on MRI images obtained from a 12 year old child's nasal cavity. Test formulations emitting a range of spray patterns were investigated by actuating the device into the pediatric nasal cast under controlled conditions. RESULTS: The results showed that the nasal sprays impacted in the anterior region of the 12 year old child's nasal cavity, and only limited spray entered the turbinate region - the effect site for most topical drugs and the primary absorptive region for systemically absorbed drugs. CONCLUSION: Differences in deposition patterns following the administration of nasal sprays to adults and children may lead to differences in efficacy between these populations. Greater anterior deposition in children may result in decreased effectiveness, greater anterior dosage form loss, and the increased potential for patient non-compliance.

Appropriate Antibiotic Use for Acute Respiratory Tract Infection in Adults: Advice for High-Value Care From the American College of Physicians and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) is the most common reason for antibiotic prescription in adults. Antibiotics are often inappropriately prescribed for patients with ARTI. This article presents best practices for antibiotic use in healthy adults (those without chronic lung disease or immunocompromising conditions) presenting with ARTI. METHODS: A narrative literature review of evidence about appropriate antibiotic use for ARTI in adults was conducted. The most recent clinical guidelines from professional societies were complemented by meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized clinical trials. To identify evidence-based articles, the Cochrane Library, PubMed, MEDLINE, and EMBASE were searched through September 2015 using the following Medical Subject Headings terms: "acute bronchitis," "respiratory tract infection," "pharyngitis," "rhinosinusitis," and "the common cold." HIGH-VALUE CARE ADVICE 1: Clinicians should not perform testing or initiate antibiotic therapy in patients with bronchitis unless pneumonia is suspected. HIGH-VALUE CARE ADVICE 2: Clinicians should test patients with symptoms suggestive of group A streptococcal pharyngitis (for example, persistent fevers, anterior cervical adenitis, and tonsillopharyngeal exudates or other appropriate combination of symptoms) by rapid antigen detection test and/or culture for group A Streptococcus. Clinicians should treat patients with antibiotics only if they have confirmed streptococcal pharyngitis. HIGH-VALUE CARE ADVICE 3: Clinicians should reserve antibiotic treatment for acute rhinosinusitis for patients with persistent symptoms for more than 10 days, onset of severe symptoms or signs of high fever (>39 °C) and purulent nasal discharge or facial pain lasting for at least 3 consecutive days, or onset of worsening symptoms following a typical viral illness that lasted 5 days that was initially improving (double sickening). HIGH-VALUE CARE ADVICE 4: Clinicians should not prescribe antibiotics for patients with the common cold.

Usage of Over-the-Counter and Herbal Products in Common Cold in Poland: Findings from Consumer Survey.

Upper respiratory tract infections are usually self-treated with synthetic and herbal over-the-counter products. The aim of the study was to assess the reasons for the purchase of those medications in Poland. We examined 413 adults, aged 18 and over (70.5% of them were women) using a questionnaire. The findings demonstrate that oral synthetic products were used by 76% of respondents, while herbal products by 30%. Synthetic products were used mainly by educated people under 65 years of age, students, and the employed. Herbal products were used mainly by older people. In conclusion, synthetic products against common cold are perceived as more effective. Such medications are used by people who probably would like to recover and return to professional activity as quickly as possible. As they generally use more medications, they are at increased risk of adverse effects resulting from drug interactions, and they should be a target group for health education programs.

Management of the early symptoms of influenza-like illnesses and ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders by pharmacists.

BACKGROUND: Pharmacists play a key role in primary healthcare, but the characteristics of patients who consult a pharmacist directly rather than going to their general practitioner (GP) are unknown. Our aim was to describe the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who seek direct therapeutic advice from a pharmacist for influenza-like illness (ILI) or ear, nose and throat (ENT) disorders, the types of medicines dispensed and patient satisfaction with the advice received. METHODS: This prospective, observational study was carried out on a random sample of French pharmacies between November 2010 and March 2011. Patients (≥12-years) with early symptoms of ILI or ENT disorders (<36 h duration) who received treatment were included. Socio-demographic data, symptom severity and disease impact on daily activities and sleep were recorded at inclusion. Symptom evolution and patient satisfaction were assessed after 3 days of treatment. RESULTS: 573 patients (mean age: 42.5 ± 16.2 years; 61.9% female) were recruited by 133 pharmacies. Two-thirds of patients (63.2%) visited the pharmacy early (<24 h) after symptom onset. The most common symptoms were runny nose (56.4%), sore throat (54.6%) and cough (49.0%). Patients were given 2.6 ± 1.2 medications; 98.4% of patients received allopathic (usually paracetamol, 33.5%) and 25.3% homeopathic (Oscillococcinum, 56.6%) treatment, usually combined with allopathy. Compliance was good and 77.2% of patients continued treatment for 3 days. Most symptoms improved significantly after 3 days and quality of life was enhanced. 85.9% of patients were satisfied with the advice received. CONCLUSIONS: Seeking a pharmacist's advice for the management of ILI and ENT disorders has several public health benefits. The clinical improvement and high patient satisfaction observed validate the role of the pharmacist as a health professional of first resort.

Assessment of the effect of pharmacotherapy in common cold/acute bronchitis - the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS).

BACKGROUND: Acute bronchitis (AB) is a highly contagious infection of the airways, presenting mostly in connection with common cold (CC). There is a high variance in duration and course of symptoms which, sooner or later, also may disappear spontaneously and change during the course of the disease. Therefore, assessment of treatment outcome is difficult. METHODS: Composite outcome measures are commonly used to examine the effects of pharmacotherapy in complex diseases. We discuss the features of the Bronchitis Severity Scale (BSS) on the basis of the available literature. RESULTS: For the BSS the five most important symptoms of AB are rated by the patient and the physician. Since its introduction in 1996, the BSS has been used in many clinical trials evaluating treatment effects of AB. Its score correlates well with clinical findings. As thorough validation analyses revealed, this applies even more to the BSS subscales "cough domain" and "sputum domain". CONCLUSION: The validated BSS appears to be a reliable tool to assess therapeutic effects in CC/AB. The BSS and its subscales are recommended as outcome measures for future drug trials in CC/AB, but also help physicians to focus their consultation in patients with CC/AB.

A comprehensive evaluation of rationality of cough and cold medicines available in Indian market.

To analyse various cough and cold formulations available in the Indian market and to study their pharmacological rationale and cost effectiveness, a cross-sectional, observational study was carried out for evaluation of the drugs listed in Current Index of Medical Specialities (CIMS) India, September 2010.The formulations were assessed for their total number, type of dosage form, number of constituents in each formulation, their pharmacological group and rationality. The total daily cost and its association with type of dosage form was analysed. Out of a total 1297 preparations evaluated, 94% were fixed dose combination. The mean number of constituents was 3.20 +/- 1.03. Liquid oral formulations were largest in number (64.4%). The formulations contained various antitussives (30.30%), expectorants (33.92%), antihistamines (71.09%), mucolytics (35.62%), decongestants (56.28%), bronchodilators (16.81%) and analgesics/antipyretics (31.30%). None of the preparation was listed in the Model list of Essential Medicines, WHO (March 2011) under section 25 of "Medicines acting on the respiratory tract". Only 2% of the preparations had pharmacological rationale for their use in cough and common cold; 9.6% were containing more than one ingredient of the same pharmacological group and 6.85% were containing both antitussive and expectorant having opposing action. Highest number of preparations (36.85%) was having cost of therapy of Rs 6-10 per day. Liquid oral dosage forms had significantly higher cost than solid dosage form (p < 0.0001) and topical nasal dosage forms had significantly higher cost than liquid (p < 0.03) and solid (p < 0.001) dosage forms. It is conducted that various cough and cold medicines available in Indian market lacked therapeutic rationale for their use, leading to wasteful expenditure.

[Physicians with access to point-of-care tests significantly reduce the antibiotic prescription for common cold]. / Los médicos que disponen de pruebas rápidas disminuyen significativamente la prescripción de antibióticos en el resfriado común.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of two levels of intervention on the antibiotic prescribing in patients with common cold. METHODS: Before and after audit-based study carried out in primary healthcare centres in Spain. General practitioners registered all the episodes of common cold during 15 working days in January and February in 2008 (preintervention). Two types of intervention were considered: full intervention, consisting in individual feedback based on results from the first registry, courses in rational antibiotic prescribing, guidelines, patient information leaflets, workshops on rapid tests -rapid antigen detection and C-reactive protein tests- and provision of these tests in the surgeries; and partial intervention, consisting of all the above intervention except for the workshop and they did not have access to rapid tests. The same registry was repeated in 2009 (postintervention). In addition, new physicians filled out only the registry in 2009 (control group). RESULTS: 210 physicians underwent the full intervention, 71 the partial intervention and 59 were assigned to the control group. The 340 doctors prescribed antibiotics in 274 episodes of a total of 12,373 cases registered (2.2%).The greatest percentage of antibiotic prescription was found in the control group (4.6%). The partial intervention increased the antibiotic prescription percentage from 1.1% to 2.7% while only doctors who underwent the complete intervention lead to a significant reduction of antibiotics prescribed, from 2.9% before to 0.7% after the intervention (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Only physicians with access to rapid tests significantly reduced antibiotic prescription in patients with common cold.

Colds & cough.

The common cold leads to approximately 75 to 100 million physician visits annually. An estimated 22 to 189 million school days are missed annually due to a cold, which affects working parents with approximately 126 million workdays staying home to care for their children. Add this to the approximately 150 million workdays missed by employees suffering from a cold, which accounts for approximately 40% of time lost from work in the U.S., and you can see why the "common" cold is referred to as the most "common" human disease. Common colds are not a trivial health problem, as these statistics indicate, and that can be attributed to the fact that there simply is no cure for the common cold and the fact that it is highly contagious. However, the symptoms can be treated, and compounding pharmacists can work with the patient and the physician in this endeavor.

National cultural dimensions as drivers of inappropriate ambulatory care consumption of antibiotics in Europe and their relevance to awareness campaigns.

OBJECTIVES: European countries exhibit significant geographical differences in antibiotic consumption per capita within ambulatory care, especially inappropriate use for colds/flu/sore throat (CFSt). One potential explanation could be national cultural differences resulting in varying perceptions and, therefore, influences. METHODS: Publicly available data on the proportions of respondents in the 2009 Eurobarometer survey who had taken antibiotics for CFSt were tested for association against country scores derived from the Hofstede cultural dimension model. They were also correlated with knowledge of respondents about various key antibiotic facts. RESULTS: The Eurobarometer dataset incorporated 26,259 responses from all European Union (EU) countries except Cyprus. Using multiple regression, uncertainty avoidance and masculinity were identified as the two national cultural dimensions significantly associated with the use of antibiotics for CFSt (R-adjusted = 0.45; P<0.001). After controlling for these cultural influences, individuals who stated they had received information about antibiotics in the previous year were also more likely to correctly answer antibiotic-related questions (r=0.721; P<0.001). The use of antibiotics for CFSt was found to be inversely correlated with respondents' knowledge that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses (r=-0.724; P<0.001) and that misuse will render them ineffective in the longer term (r=-0.775; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: National cultural dimensions, especially uncertainty avoidance and masculinity, appear to have a very significant impact on inappropriate antibiotic use within European countries. Nevertheless, their influence can be reduced by making EU citizens more knowledgeable about antibiotics through appropriate messages and targeted campaigns.

Fixed-dose combinations for cough and common cold in India: an assessment of availability and rationality.

This study was conducted to determine the number and composition of the various cough and cold formulations available in the Indian market and to study their pharmacological rationale over a period of 7years. Data for the study was collected from an annual Drug Compendium entitled 'THE DRUG TODAY' of the years 2001, 2004, and 2007. Medications were assessed for total number, different formulations, and number of constituents present in each formulation, their pharmacological group and amount of each constituent per dose. Rationality of available preparations was assessed on a seven-point scoring criteria. There are over thirteen hundred drug products for cough and cold in the Indian market, which is an increase of 71.2% from the year 2001. More than 90% of the preparations were fixed-dose combinations (FDCs). Majority of the cough and cold preparations had 3-4 constituents. Many preparations contained more than one constituent of the same pharmacological group. Some preparations had constituents with opposing action. A wide variation in the amount of each constituent present per dose in different formulations was observed. The number of banned drug combinations for cough and cold showed an increase from 9 in 2001 to 27 in 2007. Rationality assessment of the FDC preparations revealed that most of the preparations were irrational and had no documented benefit in the treatment of common cold. Availability of such a large number of irrational FDCs for cough and cold requires serious review of the legal provisions in India for drug manufacturing and marketing.

Antibiotics for the common cold: expectations of Germany's general population.

Physicians mention patients' expectations as a reason for prescribing antibiotics for common (viral) upper respiratory tract infections despite clinical evidence against their use and the physicians' better judgement. We aimed to assess the prevalence of such expectations and factors of influence (knowledge and attitudes) in Germany's general population. In November 2008, 1,778 persons registered with a large market research company were invited to complete an online questionnaire on expectations concerning prescription of antibiotics and on knowledge and attitudes regarding the effectiveness and use of antibiotics for upper respiratory tract infections. A total of 1,076 persons aged 15-78 years participated (response: 61%), of whom 91.8% reported using antibiotics 'only if absolutely necessary'. Prescription of antibiotics was expected by 113 (10.5%) of the 1,076 respondents for the common cold and by 997 (92.7%) for pneumonia. In a logistic regression analysis, predictors for expecting a prescription for antibiotics for the common cold included the following opinions: 'common cold or flu can effectively be treated with antibiotics' (prevalence: 37.6%; odds ratio (OR): 9.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.8 to 24.3) and 'antibiotics should be taken when having a sore throat to prevent more serious illness' (prevalence 8.6%; OR: 7.6; 95% CI: 3.9 to 14.5). Among those expecting a prescription (n=113), 80 (71%) reported that they would trust their physician when he or she deems a prescription unnecessary; a further eight (7%) would be unsatisfied, but would accept the decision. Our results suggest that only a minority expects antibiotics for the treatment of cold symptoms. Physicians should be educated that their decisions not to prescribe antibiotics for the common cold, even when against patients' expectations, are apparently accepted by the majority.

Effectiveness of internal quality assurance programmes in improving clinical practice and reducing costs.

RATIONALE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the effectiveness of internal initiatives to improve quality as compared with external feedback, and as compared with a control group. METHOD: Ten primary health centres were randomly selected from the centres in the Murcia's Region and were randomly assigned into three groups: G1 committed themselves to the improvement; G2 composed by two subgroups: with and without quality improvement (QI) activities - received external feedback; G3 received no intervention. Quality of common cold management was measured in a random sample of 50 patients per centre before and after interventions. Effect was assessed comparing criteria compliance and the cost of treatments for common cold in the three groups. RESULTS: G1 and G2 subgroup with internal QI improved significantly in all criteria, and in G1 average treatment cost decreased by 60% (P < 0.01). G3 improved only in one criterion. Estimated yearly savings in treatment costs for common cold, for a centre with internal QI, were euro 12,193.83 and it would be euro 1,817 004.65 for the 30 centres in the Region. CONCLUSIONS: Internally assumed QI activities were significantly more effective than external feedback. Besides, the high cost of deficient quality provides a wide margin to invest with benefits in the promotion of internal QI programmes.

[Medicating outside the consulting room]. / Gyógyszerelés a rendelon kívül.

INTRODUCTION: Self-medication is a means, besides changing one's lifestyle, of buying and taking non-prescription medicaments. This practice has several advantages. People save time and energy by not sitting for hours in the consulting room of the doctor with a simple ailment, and the doctors also have more time to deal with those requiring more serious treatment. Moreover, the expenditures of the state also decrease, as patients do not visit the doctor but buy non-prescription, i.e. non-supported, medicaments. AIMS: The authors surveyed the habits and demands of a survey population concerning non-prescription medicaments, primarily in the pharmacies of Fejér county. A marketing research programme was completed in order to establish better co-operation between patients and pharmacists, within the framework of which 1450 questionnaires were distributed from March to June in 2005, 743 of which were completed and evaluated. METHOD: The authors examined, whether there were differences within the answers given to professional questions (questions 1-25 of the questionnaire) through sex, age, qualifications and earning power. Answers were analyzed by statistical methods. Statistical analyses were carried out with the SPSS 13.0 program group. Those results were published, where significant differences were found. RESULTS: Half of the respondents take medicaments regularly, 65% of them watch advertisements about medicaments several times a day. 40% of those surveyed consult a professionally-qualified person about their decision before buying non-prescription medicaments. The population obtains much information from the brochures enclosed with medicaments, and almost 70% of them read these brochures. According to their opinions, when buying non-prescription products, pharmacists always recommend other possibilities as well, and they give details about the information concerning the application of the medicaments. CONCLUSIONS: In order for people to use non-prescription products properly, it would be definitely necessary to elaborate a successful national education strategy. The population expects information concerning medicaments to be communicated in the pharmacies in an understandable way. It should be in the pharmacy where patients learn about the medicaments they take, where the pharmacist knows what other medicines have been prescribed by a doctor, and whether patients have any illnesses whereby they should not take other products.