Consumption patterns of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs by the community without prescription in Dhaka City

Abstract

A cross-sectional study on consumption patterns of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by the community without prescription was conducted in Dhaka Metropolitan City. A total of 608 encounters from 16 pharmacies were interviewed from people found to purchase drugs of the pharmacy from their self demand. The commonest purchased NSAIDs per encounter was paracetamol (37.0%). Ibuprofen (13.8%), diclofenac sodium (12.7%), aspirin (7.4%), naproxen (6.9%) and other group of NSAIDs (22.2%) were also purchased. The influence by friends/relatives (30.3%) previously advised by the doctor to purchase the NSAIDs for the same complaint were (29.1%); pharmacy salesmen's advice (28.3%) and other reasons (12.3%). The total cost of purchased NSAIDs per encounter were less than Tk. 5 (6.9%), Tk. 5 to less than Tk. 10 (45.4%), Tk. 10-25 (35.5%) and more than Tk. 25 (12.2%). Single item of drug was purchased along with NSAIDs by 17.1% of encounters.