Consumer views on safety of over-the-counter drugs, preferred retailers and information sources in Sweden: after re-regulation of the pharmacy market.

BACKGROUND: The availability of over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) has increased in Sweden since a re-regulation of the pharmacy market in 2009, through which non-pharmacy retailers became permitted to provide certain OTCs. OBJECTIVE: To examine the adult general public's views on safety, purchasing and information channels, storage and disposal of OTCs in Sweden, three years after the re-regulation of the pharmacy market. METHODS: A questionnaire study in 2012-13 in a stratified, random sample of all inhabitants in Sweden ≥ 18 years old. RESULTS: Totally 8,302 people (42%) answered the questionnaire. Seven percent found OTCs completely harmless regardless of how they are being used, 18% felt they should be used only on health professionals' recommendation. Differences in how OTCs are perceived were however found with regards to respondents' country of birth, family type, educational level and income. The pharmacy was still the preferred OTC drug retailer by 83% of the respondents and preferred information source by 80% Reasons for preferred retailers were primarily due to out of habit (45%), counseling provided (35%), the product range (34%) and the confidence in staff (27%). Analgesics are the most common OTCs to have at home (90%). The bathroom cabinet is the primary site for storage (42%) and 16% throw their OTC leftovers in the trash. CONCLUSIONS: The study population does not consider OTCs as harmless regardless of how they are used, but on the other hand feels they should not be taken on health professionals' recommendation only. The pharmacy is still the preferred retailer and information source, and there is room for further improvement in the storage and disposal of OTCs. A return of OTC drug leftovers to the pharmacy should be further encouraged. Due to several limitations, great caution should however be observed when generalizing the results to the adult population of Sweden.

Consumer views on safety of over-the-counter drugs, preferred retailers and information sources in Sweden: after re-regulation of the pharmacy market

Background: The availability of over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) has increased in Sweden since a re-regulation of the pharmacy market in 2009, through which non-pharmacy retailers became permitted to provide certain OTCs. Objective: To examine the adult general public’s views on safety, purchasing and information channels, storage and disposal of OTCs in Sweden, three years after the re-regulation of the pharmacy market. Methods: A questionnaire study in 2012-13 in a stratified, random sample of all inhabitants in Sweden ≥ 18 years old. Results: Totally 8,302 people (42%) answered the questionnaire. Seven percent found OTCs completely harmless regardless of how they are being used, 18% felt they should be used only on health professionals’ recommendation. Differences in how OTCs are perceived were however found with regards to respondents’ country of birth, family type, educational level and income. The pharmacy was still the preferred OTC drug retailer by 83% of the respondents and preferred information source by 80% Reasons for preferred retailers were primarily due to out of habit (45%), counseling provided (35%), the product range (34%) and the confidence in staff (27%). Analgesics are the most common OTCs to have at home (90%). The bathroom cabinet is the primary site for storage (42%) and 16% throw their OTC leftovers in the trash. Conclusions: The study population does not consider OTCs as harmless regardless of how they are used, but on the other hand feels they should not be taken on health professionals’ recommendation only. The pharmacy is still the preferred retailer and information source, and there is room for further improvement in the storage and disposal of OTCs. A return of OTC drug leftovers to the pharmacy should be further encouraged. Due to several limitations, great caution should however be observed when generalizing the results to the adult population of Sweden (AU)

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Non-prescription medicines for pain and fever--a comparison of recommendations and counseling from staff in pharmacy and general sales stores.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to map and analyze the content and quality of the encounter when customers buy non-prescription medicines for pain and fever. METHODS: 297 pharmacies and 801 general sales stores (GSS) in Sweden were selected. A "Mystery shopper" exercise was conducted. Three scenarios were used and a total of 366 units were selected for each scenario. There were in total 625 observers: 208 in the child with fever scenario, 225 in the Reliv scenario, and 192 in the painkiller during pregnancy scenario. DATA COLLECTION: 21st September to 20th November 2011. RESULTS: In two out of three visits to GSS, the staff proposed a medicine for a heavily pregnant woman. The staff suggested in 9% of the visits a medicine that is inappropriate in late pregnancy. The corresponding percentage in pharmacies was 1%. Both pharmacies and GSS proposed, in 6% a medicine that is inappropriate for babies to a feverish child. Only 16% of the pharmacists and 14% of the staff in GSS asked for the age of the child. General sales staff recommended in 10% ibuprofen and in 4% an acetylsalicylic acid product when an acetaminophen preparation was requested. The corresponding percentage in the pharmacy were 4% ibuprofen, 2% diclofenac, and 1% an acetylsalicylic acid product. CONCLUSIONS: The staff in GSS and pharmacies do not pay sufficient attention to the heterogeneity of painkillers, which lead to inappropriate recommendations.