Information about over-the-counter medication: the role of the pharmacy

With regard to the proper use of over-the-counter drugs (OTCs), the importance of drug information has been stressed many times and a counseling role for the pharmacist is becoming more widely recognized. A community pharmacy was studied to determine what kind of information was given about OTCs and subsequently whether this information was adjusted to the informational needs of the patient. We observed 80 pharmacy-patient contacts concerning OTCs and interviewed these patients at home some days afterwards. Drug information was given both verbally and in writing by means of a patient package insert (36% and 63% of the purchases, respectively). In most instances information was provided even though not requested by the patients. When interviewed at home, patients said they were satisfied with the information received. It appeared that the information provided in the pharmacy was adjusted to the informational needs of the persons who use OTCs. Only when asked about the information concerning the use of OTCs in general, did patients' informational needs and drug informing behavior seem to be greater. This discrepancy between the study results is being discussed. The study findings suggest that a patient package insert is an important information source for patients at the moment they use OTCs, and therefore has to be delivered consistently. Further, the fact that the patients seldom asked for drug information at the pharmacy increases the importance of providing patient package inserts.