Drug use utilization study of NSAIDS in drugstore from central region of Guarulhos (SP)

Abstract

According to WHO, drug use study comprises marketing, distribution, prescription and use in society, with special care to medical, social and economical consequences. Pharmacoepidemiology data must be priority in scientific research. It is noteworthy that prescription errors may interfere in therapeutic response. Material and methods: Structured queries were used in a drugstore from Guarulhos central region (SP), Brazil, during four months. Results: NSAIDSs were the most ordered drugs and self-medication seem to be very common practice by patients (62,37%), on the other hand prescriptions were 37,63%. In addition, self-medication was conducted under the influence of shop assistants, family and friends. Prescription was obtained mostly at private hospitals; physicians and dentists are the health professionals’ prescribers, mostly general clinicians and rheumatologists. Common adverse reactions reported by patients were: gastrointestinal disturbances and allergy. Most of patients had known about indication and mode of use of medication. Conclusion: Self-medication is a common practice and dangerous because could cause secondary diseases and intoxication problems to users. Rational drug use is an important issue to be considered during drug therapy, it is a Public health topic, once the incorrect use could cause another diseases and hospitalization, with costs to patients and government.