Effective Use of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drugs during a Disaster: / 医薬品情報学

ABSTRACT

<b>Objective: </b>For effective use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs that are provided as relief supplies during a disaster, we aimed to develop a list of OTC drugs that can be used during a disaster.<br><b>Methods: </b>We obtained information about OTC drugs useful during a disaster by examining results of previous studies and lists of drugs used during a disaster.  We analyzed this information with the expert pharmacist of disaster support and established a rationale for our list and developed “the List of Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster” and “the Information Card on Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster.”<br><b>Results: </b>We developed our list of OTC drugs based on the following parameters: (1) while people with severe disorders (e.g. renal failure) are treated by medical teams, those with minor physical conditions are treated using OTC drugs and (2) those OTC drugs that can be used as substitutes for prescription drugs were preferably selected.  The List of Useful OTC Drugs ()—During a Disaster (containing 56 items) was developed for use mainly by medical professionals.  Further, pharmacists from disaster-relief medical teams may not always be available in disaster-stricken areas; therefore, the Information Card on Useful OTC Drugs During a Disaster was developed to enable disaster victims to independently make a certain level of decision.  The information card contained pictograms to call the attention of the disaster victims.<br><b>Conclusion: </b>Our results can provide a common tool for drug suppliers, medical professionals engaging in relief works in disaster-stricken areas, and disaster victims.