ASSESSMENT AND CATEGORIZATION OF OTC MEDICATIONS USAGE IN RURAL AREA IN GUNTUR

Nalluri Kranthi Koushik*, Prasanjith Chowdhary, G. Lalith Sagar Reddy, K. Rufus David, Dr. N. Murali Krishna, Dr. M. Satish Kumar and Dr. Ramarao Nadendla

ABSTRACT

OTC refers to consuming drugs without the advice of a physician either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment. It always has been a part of normal practice in human life from the ancient times. In developing countries like India, there are an increased proportion of drugs used as self medication compared to prescribed drugs. The study aimed to assess and categorize the usage of OTC medications in rural area in Guntur. A prospective study was conducted in the community setting for duration of 6 months and subjects were recruited based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 252 subjects were enrolled and relevant data was collected and assessed. Majority of the subjects were using OTC product to get relief from symptoms of fever and their preferred system of medicine was allopathy, reason was found to be economic problem. This study emphasizes that self medication must be correctly taught and controlled and there is an alarming need for promoting appropriate usage of medications in health care system.

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