Assessment of Awareness and Attitudes towards Over the Counter Drugs among Urban Population: An Analytical Questionnaire Study

Abstract

Over-The-Counter drugs are also known as Non prescription drugs. These are safe drugs and can be sold over the counter, by the chemist without prescription. More products have been deregulated for purchase without a prescription. Increasing availability of non-prescription medicines may encourage patients to believe that there is a drug treatment for every ailment. Furthermore, the use of such products may delay/mask the diagnosis of serious illness, with increased risks of interactions and adverse reactions. There is also the potential for misuse and abuse of such products. In India, the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics are regulated by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act (DCA) and its subordinate legislation, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (DCR).This legislation applies to the whole of India and to all sorts of medicines (e.g. allopathic, ayurvedic, homeopathic, etc.) whether imported or made in India. A questionnaire regarding OTC drug was distributed to the 100 persons those coming to the pharmacy for self medication to assess the awareness and attitude towards over-the-counter (OTC) drugs amongst urban population.