[Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) preparations in Germany]

Area of Science:

• Pharmacoeconomics
• Public Health
• Social Pharmacy

Background:

• Self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs is a growing public health concern in developed nations.
• Understanding the prevalence and influencing factors of OTC drug use is crucial for healthcare policy and practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and determinants of OTC drug use among a representative sample of German adults.
• To identify demographic, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors associated with self-medication practices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the German National Health Interview and Examination Survey 1998, specifically the Drug Utilisation Survey.
• Interviewed 7099 German adults aged 18-79 regarding their OTC drug consumption within the past seven days.
• Analyzed data from 3393 men and 3594 women to determine prevalence and associated factors.

Main Results:

• 17.6% of men and 10.8% of women reported exclusive OTC drug use; 12.3% of men and 29.3% of women used OTC drugs alongside prescribed medications.
• Key determinants of OTC drug use included sex, age, socioeconomic status, and community size.
• Vitamins, minerals, and analgesics were the most frequently self-medicated OTC drugs, with 'prevention' being the primary reported indication.

Conclusions:

• Self-medication with OTC drugs is a significant component of medication use in Germany for both men and women, alongside prescribed treatments.
• Health consciousness emerged as a significant factor explaining the observed prevalence of OTC drug use.
• Findings highlight the need for targeted health education and interventions to promote safe and effective OTC drug utilization.