THE SITUATION OF CONSULTATION OF USE OF OTC DRUGS AT SOME GPP STANDARD PHARMACIES IN VINH CITY, NGHE AN PROVINCE

Abstract

The study aims to survey the current counseling situation on using over-the-counter (OTC) drugs at some GPP-certified pharmacies in Vinh city, Nghe An province. The study used a direct, blind, non-interventional observational study method on the case of customers coming to buy over-the-counter (OTC) drugs at GPP-certified pharmacies in Vinh city, Nghe An province. During the 1-month research period from February to March 2023, 386 cases of customers coming to buy OTC drugs at 35 GPP standard pharmacies in Vinh city, Nghe An province, were observed. The research results are as follows: There were 256 cases where customers were consulted by pharmacists (66.32%); pharmacists with college degrees in consulting accounted for the highest percentage (55.08%). The main content of drug information collected during the consultation process is the user (65.23%), about the disease, the symptom description (87.11%). Information provided by the consulting pharmacist is mainly drug name (59.38%), followed by dose (57.03%), indication (52.73%). In summary, counseling on the using OTC drugs for patients has been implemented at GPP standard pharmacies in Vinh city, Nghe An province, to give necessary advice to ensure patients use the medicine in safe, reasonable, and effective way.