Objectives

Given the fact that Jordan is a country with limited economic and natural resources, this study aims to investigate and assess the extent of medication storage, wastage and self medication in a sample of Jordanian households in nine main areas of Amman. Also, the study aimed to assess possible factors associated with medication wastage, inappropriate storage and self medication.

 

    

 

Methodology

A structured interview using a pre-tested and pre-piloted questionnaire was carried out on a target sample of 219 households which was selected conveniently in the nine main areas of Amman, the capital of Jordan with household members present at the time of the survey. For each household, stored drug products were classified according to Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code. A response to each question was coded and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Parametric and non parametric statistical tests were used when appropriate.

 

 

 

Results

A total of 219 households were surveyed and members of the household were interviewed, the mean ± SD family size was 5.39 ± 2.06 members. This study found that the total number of different drug products present in the surveyed households was 2,393 with an average of 10.93±5.24 per household. The number of medications stored at home was significantly correlated with several variables (P<0.05) including: family size , level of income, number of workers, level of mothers and fathers education, and presence of members with health related jobs. The most common dosage forms available were tablets (1490/2393, 62.26%). Drug wastage accounts for 24.99% of the total cost of drug products (3,791JD), on the other hand, 30.21% of drug products were initiated by self therapy. Alimentary tract drug category (20.69%) was the most commonly encountered followed by nervous system (17.26%) and musculoskeletal categories (12.95%).

 

 

 

 

Conclusion

The study revealed that there is a relatively large quantities of medications stored in Jordanian households that might result in appreciable drug wastage, and irrational self-medication. It appears that there is lack of a safe storage conditions for medicines. A large national study is needed; also, policy makers and international organizations must take a serious look at current national drug policies and identify various factors that lead to drug wastage in households.

 

Title

international journal of pharmacy practice

Publisher

Wiley blackwell

Publisher Country

United Kingdom

Indexing

Scopus

Impact Factor

None

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

21

Year

2013

Pages

185-191