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Physicians' attitudes toward reclassifying drugs as over-the-counter
S Sihvo1, E Hemminki, R Ahonen
1Stakes (National Research and Development Centre for Welfare and Health), University of Helsinki, Department of Public Health, Finland. sinikka.sihvo@stakes.fi
Medical Care
|May 21, 1999
Summary
Finnish physicians generally hold a positive attitude towards over-the-counter (OTC) drug availability, though they are more reserved about recently switched medications. Their workplace significantly influences these views on OTC drugs.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
- Medical Practice
Background:
- The trend of switching prescription drugs to over-the-counter (OTC) status is increasing globally.
- Understanding physician attitudes towards OTC switches is crucial for public health policy and drug accessibility.
- Specialty-specific concerns, such as gynecologists' views on vaginal antifungal OTC drugs, warrant investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess Finnish physicians' attitudes towards the availability of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.
- To determine if the transfer of drugs within a physician's specialty influences negative attitudes towards OTC release.
- To specifically examine gynecologists' perceptions of vaginal antifungal OTC drug availability.
Main Methods:
- A 1996 postal questionnaire was distributed to a representative sample of 169 gynecologists and 288 general practitioners (GPs) in Finland.
- A response rate of 77% (n=341) was achieved after a reminder.
- Multivariate logistic regression models were employed to analyze factors influencing attitudes toward OTC drugs.
Main Results:
- Physicians exhibited a moderately positive overall attitude towards OTC drugs, with more reservations regarding recently switched medications.
- Physicians were frequently identified as the most reliable source of information on OTC drugs.
- General practitioners (GPs) in health centers were more inclined than other physicians to consider drugs suitable for self-medication. The hypothesis regarding gynecologists' opposition to vaginal antifungal OTC drugs was not supported.
Conclusions:
- Physicians' opinions on OTC drugs are shaped by a drug's current OTC status and public discourse.
- The physician's place of work significantly impacts their views, likely due to variations in case mix and patient load.