Patient perspectives to self medication in a community pharmacy setting in Malta.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

Maltese Health Care System

Maltese Classification of Pharmaceuticals

Cost of medicines in Malta – Economic Aspects

Deregulation from POM to P

Collaborative Care

Misuse vs. Abuse

OTC misuse

OTC abuse

Studies on OTC use (self medication)

2. Aims and objectives

3. Methodology

Literature Review

Modifications to questionnaire of Waizaify et al. 2005

Validity testing

Administration of Questionnaire

Structure of questionnaire

Coding data into SPSS

Analysis of Data

Researching published studies into OTC drug related trends to aid in improving pharmaceutical care

4. Results

Reliability testing

Demographics

Patient interaction with a local pharmacy

Views on OTC use

OTC selection

OTC abuse

5. Discussion

Drug-related trends to improve pharmaceutical care.

Drug adherence

Health Literacy

OTC abuse

Facilitating behaviour change

6. Conclusion

Research Objectives and Themes

This thesis aims to investigate patient perspectives regarding over-the-counter (OTC) medication use in a Maltese community pharmacy setting. The research addresses the prevalence of self-medication, identifies the drivers of irresponsible medication practices, and explores the role of pharmacists in patient education and the mitigation of drug misuse and abuse.

• Patient attitudes towards OTC safety and efficacy.
• Incidence and nature of OTC drug misuse and abuse in Malta.
• Pharmacist-patient interactions and the potential for improved pharmaceutical care.
• The impact of health literacy and patient education on self-medication behaviors.
• Potential solutions for preventing medication errors and abuse, such as health identity cards.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the Maltese healthcare system, pharmaceutical classification, and the regulatory environment regarding the shift from prescription-only to OTC medications.

2. Aims and objectives: Defines the research goal to analyze patient perspectives on self-medication and identifies specific objectives regarding current practices and potential improvements.

3. Methodology: Details the literature review process, adaptation of the questionnaire for the Maltese population, and the quantitative statistical methods used to validate findings.

4. Results: Presents data on patient demographics, interaction patterns with local pharmacies, and findings related to OTC use, misuse, and abuse perceptions among participants.

5. Discussion: Interprets the findings in the context of international studies and discusses strategies for enhancing pharmaceutical care, including behavior change and health literacy.

6. Conclusion: Summarizes the key findings, emphasizing the positive role of pharmacists and the urgent need for systemic interventions to address OTC abuse in Malta.

Keywords

OTC medication, Self-medication, Community Pharmacy, Malta, Pharmaceutical care, Drug abuse, Drug misuse, Patient perspectives, Pharmacist, POM to P switch, Health literacy, Drug adherence, Patient safety, Questionnaire, Health identity card

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the core focus of this research?

The research focuses on understanding patient perspectives regarding over-the-counter (OTC) medication, including how these drugs are used, the incidence of misuse and abuse, and the role of the community pharmacist in managing these issues.

What are the primary thematic areas covered?

The study covers the Maltese healthcare system, the economic aspects of medicine pricing, the regulatory shift from Prescription Only Medicines (POM) to OTC, and strategies for improving pharmaceutical care.

What is the main objective or research question?

The primary aim is to identify the trends in self-medication practices within a Maltese community pharmacy and to explore patient knowledge and attitudes toward the safety and potential abuse of OTC products.

Which scientific methodology was employed?

The researcher conducted a structured interview-based survey with 200 participants, complemented by a comprehensive literature review and statistical analysis using SPSS for data processing.

What topics are discussed in the main body?

The main body examines factors predisposing patients to irresponsible medication use, the impact of occupation and demographics on adherence, and the role of community pharmacists in providing advice and monitoring therapeutic outcomes.

How are the results characterized by key terms?

The research is characterized by terms such as OTC drug misuse, OTC abuse, pharmaceutical care, health literacy, and collaborative care between health professionals.

What specific role does the pharmacist play according to the study?

The study indicates that pharmacists are viewed as convenient and accessible sources of advice, playing a crucial role in patient education, screening, and potentially acting as a first line of intervention for OTC misuse.

What is the proposed solution for tracking drug usage?

The author proposes the introduction of a health identity card to track patient medication history, which could help pharmacists identify patterns of drug overuse or potential interactions across different pharmacies.