A Study on the Dispensing Pattern of Over the Counter Drugs in Retail Pharmacies in Sarjapur Area, East Bangalore

Over the counter drugs (OTC) are sold without the prescription of a registered medical practitioner. There are reports that OTC drug market in India is on the rise. This is attributed to the rising cost of health care, difficulty in accessing healthcare, and an alarming tendency to self manage symptoms. The outcome of this is OTC related adverse effects, abuse, and hospitalizations. Literature on OTC is sparse. Hence this study was undertaken to evaluate the dispensing pattern of OTC drugs in retail pharmacies in Sarjapur area, East Bangalore.

The study was conducted in 3 retail pharmacies in Sarjapur area, Bangalore East. The duration of the study was for a period of 10 days from August 1st to August 10th 2014. The common complaints for which the patients frequented the pharmacies were observed and recorded .The investigator personally interviewed the patients between 6pm to 9pm, near the respective pharmacies. During this study period around 216 patients visited pharmacies without prescription. The drugs supplied to 216 patients by private pharmacies without prescription was recorded. Data was analysed by descriptive statistics using Microsoft Excel.

Most commonly dispensed OTC drugs were analgesics (26.8%). The other categories of medications dispensed were antihistamines (15.2%), antacids (14.8%), antibiotics (10%), antipyretics (7.8%), Oral contraceptive (OC pills) (5.09%) and others (20%). The commonly dispensed antibiotics were Cefadroxil (250mg) for dental infection and Levofloxacin (500mg) for upper respiratory tract infection. The most common complaint for the use of OTC drugs was pain (25%). It was noted that 55.09% of the dispensed drugs belonged to schedule H. However, 13% patients were aware regarding the harmful effects of drugs.

The use of OTC drugs is alarmingly high in Bangalore East. Pharmacists have to be trained and educated regarding rationale dispensing of drugs. The need for promoting the appropriate use of drugs in the Indian health care system is important. This can be achieved through educational, regulatory and managerial strategies.