Lefterova A, Getov I
Department of Social Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Cent Eur J Public Health. 2004 Mar;12(1):43-5.
The aim of the present study was to investigate consumers' knowledge, preference habits and use of the over-the-counter (OTC) analgesics. Our survey indicates the preferences of respondents in consultation with medical specialists (medical doctors and pharmacists) and their sources of information about drugs. A questionnaire survey was conducted during the periods March/April and July/August 2002 in 11 community pharmacies situated in Sofia (capital) and two towns in different regions in Eastern Bulgaria. From 250 questionnaires 222 were filled in correctly and analyzed (response rate 89%). Metamizole (dipyrone) is the most popular OTC analgesic--35% of the questioned patients prefer it to relieve the pain. In the second place is paracetamole (acetaminophen), but patients prefer to use it mainly for symptomatic treatment of cold/flu and influenza-like symptoms. More than 50% of patients have indicated that medical doctor recommended them the chosen OTC analgesic and in case of health problems during the therapy they prefer to consult him. They had more confidence in medical doctors' than pharmacists' recommendations and consultation. The main conclusion is that the pharmacists do not have the main say in the choice of OTC analgesics and their rational and correct use.
本研究的目的是调查消费者对非处方（OTC）镇痛药的知识、偏好习惯及使用情况。我们的调查表明了受访者在咨询医学专家（医生和药剂师）时的偏好以及他们获取药品信息的来源。2002年3月/4月和7月/8月期间，在位于索非亚（首都）以及保加利亚东部不同地区的两个城镇的11家社区药房进行了问卷调查。在250份问卷中，222份填写正确并进行了分析（回复率89%）。安乃近是最受欢迎的非处方镇痛药——35%的受访患者更倾向于使用它来缓解疼痛。排在第二位的是对乙酰氨基酚，但患者主要将其用于感冒/流感及类似流感症状的对症治疗。超过50%的患者表示，他们选择的非处方镇痛药是医生推荐的，并且在治疗期间出现健康问题时，他们更倾向于咨询医生。比起药剂师的建议和咨询，他们对医生的建议和咨询更有信心。主要结论是，药剂师在非处方镇痛药的选择及其合理正确使用方面没有主导权。
