Prescription-only medicine requests by clients: Insights from community pharmacies

The accessibility of community pharmacies increases the likelihood that patients will approach pharmacists for medication needs, including those that require prescriptions. This study assessed prescription medicine requests from members of the public. Method This study employed a cross-sectional design to investigate clients seeking medication from community pharmacies in Karu, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire comprising of two sections. Chi-square or Fisher's exact tests, where appropriate, were utilized to determine factors associated with prescription-only medicine (POM) requests. Associations between perception scores and patient characteristics were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test or Kruskal-Wallis test. Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors that may elucidate the correlates of obtaining medicines without a prescription. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 (95 % CI).

A total of 258 adults with access to prescription-only (POM) or over-thecounter (OTC) medications were included in the study. The prevalence of prescription medicine request was 53 %. Headaches, fever, pain, and dysmenorrhea were the most frequent complaints (33.9 %). A significant difference was observed between medicineseeking practices and chronic illnesses (p = 0.01). The odds of requesting a POM decreased with lower educational attainment (AOR 0.05; 95 % CI, 0.06-0.43). While Age (p = 0.006), employment status (p = 0.03), and monthly income (p = 0.01) were significantly associated with perception of medication-seeking behavior. The most commonly requested medicine was artemether and lumefantrine, accounting for 12.3 % of prescriptions. Most respondents agreed that consultation with a registered medical practitioner for any health concern is necessary.

The prevalence of prescription-only medicine requests by clients seeking healthcare from community pharmacies was relatively high. Artemether/lumefantrine and amoxicillin/clavulanate were the most sought medicines. Strengthen national prescribing policies by granting pharmacists structured prescribing authority, thereby promoting accountability and the rational use of medicines.