Gender, employment and medication use

Analyses using self reports and medical and pharmacy records of 762 men and women were conducted to assess the impact of general health status, health factors related to women's reproductive role and employment status on their use of over the counter and prescription drugs. Results showed that factors related to general health status and women's reproductive role are major contributors to gender differences in drug use. Employment is associated with a lower incidence and prevalence of drug use for men, but not for women, and the patterns of over the counter and prescription drug use are differentially affected by employment status, gender and health status variables.