Consumer behavior in OTC medicines market

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Public Health
• Social Science

Background:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are widely accessible pharmaceuticals requiring no medical prescription.
• Understanding public awareness regarding OTC drug purchasing and usage is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate awareness of OTC drug purchasing and usage among various demographic and occupational groups.
• To determine if factors like education, income, and work type influence OTC drug consumption.

Main Methods:

• An anonymous questionnaire with 47 questions was administered to 400 participants (100 each in four groups: nurses, non-medical workers, medical students, non-medical students).
• Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-squared test (p < 0.05) to assess the significance of observed differences.

Main Results:

• Over 50% of respondents utilize OTC drugs, primarily purchasing them from pharmacies.
• Individuals in the medical sector more frequently consult pharmacists for advice compared to those outside the medical field.
• A significant portion of respondents, including medical staff and students, were unfamiliar with the chemical composition of the OTC drugs they used.

Conclusions:

• Public awareness regarding OTC drug composition remains low, even among healthcare professionals and students.
• Purchasing habits indicate a reliance on pharmacies for OTC medications.
• Further education on OTC drug components and safe usage is warranted across all studied groups.