Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Over the Counter Drugs among Dispensers Working in the Retail Pharmacies of a South Indian City-A Cross-sectional Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Introduction: Over The Counter (OTC) drugs are drugs which can be sold in the pharmacy without the prescription of registered medical practitioners. Drug dispensers have an important role in modifying patients' behaviors and curbing the misuse of OTC. Aim: To assess the Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) of OTC drugs among dispensers working in the retail pharmacies. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire based study was conducted to assess the KAP of OTC drugs among dispensers working in the retail pharmacies. Questionnaire was distributed to 62 pharmacies situated in Puducherry, India. All the data were analysed by using Microsoft excel sheet and applying descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 80.64% participants responded to the questionnaire. About 34% participants were pharmacy degree holder; whereas, 66% were non pharmacy degree holder. The mean score of dispensers with pharmacy and without pharmacy degree for knowledge (5.121±0.17, 4.09±0.17) attitude (4.59±0.12, 3.05±0.25) and practice (4.71±0.19, 3.27±0.24) respectively. Conclusion: Drug dispensers have a great role in promoting the proper use of OTC drugs but they lack the adequate knowledge about various aspects of it, so they should be properly trained and regularly updated for that.

Keywords

• non prescription drugs
• perception
• pharmacist