Abstract

OTC MISUSE ASSESMENT: ITS HAZARDS & PREVALENCE IN OUR SOCIETY SOCIETY

Maria Ayub*, Shiza Ahmed, Saima Jabeen, Fariyah Maryum, Javeria Israr, Rabeea

Abstract

Over the counter (OTC) drugs represent a group of drugs and medicines that can be directly sold to the patients without any prescription from the doctor and health care professional. In this study we aimed to determine how commonly people are self medicating also to find out how frequently population in Karachi (Pakistan) is misusing OTC cough and anxiolytic drugs. For this purpose a questionnaire was designed and distributed to a large group of people. This survey was conducted for one week i.e. from May 1’2015 to 8th may. After the survey was finally completed results were compiled and from the results it was clearly shown that almost 95% of people were addicted to certain drugs they were consuming and only 5% population said that they are not addicted to the drug in any way. Also these results verify that young people (between the age of 18-23) not only are more subjected to self-medicate drugs but are also use to or addicted to it. This is a very critical condition which requires serious considerations and support is needed for such persons especially by the doctors, pharmacists, health care professionals and by their families to bring these person back to lead a normal healthy life as well as for the growth and development of country.

Keywords: Drug addiction, cough syrups, Over-the-counter, anxiolytic drugs, substance abuse.