Pahuja Ritu, Singh Himmat , Rohit Manisha , Gupta Gaurav, Bhasin Priya
The aim of this online exploratory study was to describe and evaluate the self medication practices, reasons behind self medication, use of antibiotics without prescription among pharmacy graduates in India using internet as a tool for data collection. The emails were sent with study questionnaire to about 342 pharmacy graduates. The results were based on feedbacks which were provided by respondents who mailed back the completed study questionnaire. 85% of the responders were pharmacy postgraduates. A total of 67% of pharmacy graduates used Crocin in last six months without prescription of a physician. Antibiotics (azithromycin) were reported to be used by 29.8% of the respondents without prescription. Approx. 20% of the respondents confirmed to take antibiotics as long as not feeling well. Cough and cold (60.6%) was the main indication for self medication. Most of the pharmacy graduates (68%) felt no need of consulting a physician for minor illness. More than half (56.1%) of the respondents confirmed that they use to give medication brought without prescription to their family members too. Pharmacist or druggist (39.2%) was found to be the main source of information and advice on self medication. It was concluded that the prevalence of self medication is high among pharmacy graduates in India and internet (email) can be used as an effective research tool for conducting health outcome research studies in India. The issue of self medication should be addressed by the respective Pharmacy council and other health authorities of India.
