Medication Home Storing and Self Drug Prescriptionas Part of Inappropriate Use of Pharmaceuticals Among Families in Hail - Saudi Arabia

ContextIn many parts of the world up to 80 % of illness episodes are self-treated with modern medications. Public health might be affected by inappropriate use of medication includingpolypharmacy, inappropriate dose alteration, Failure to prescribe in context with clinical guidelines and Self-prescriptions of medications. Aims To investigate the magnitude of medication home storing and self drug prescription and common inappropriate use of medication among Hail, Saudi Arabia. Settings and Design Cross Sectional Study. Methods and MaterialA questionnaire was distributed to 374 participants among different families in Hail, Saudi Arabia. Asking individualsabout wheather they practice the common Inappropriate uses of medication or not. ResultsThe study revealed that 41 % of people tend to store drugs at home, while 29 % of cases had the habit of getting rid of it.40 % of people self prescribe medication.22 % of people increase the dose of the drug when they do not feel better while 60 % are committed with the dose.57 % of people stopped using the drugs after they are clinically improved without following the Instructions of Physician. ConclusionsInappropriate use of medication is a rising problem in modern public health. People have the practice of self drug prescription and medication storing at home. Others may not be commited to physician advice. These inappropriate use may affect public health from different prospectives. People need to be aware of the effect of inappropriate use of Pharmaceuticals on patient and society.