A STUDY TO ASSESS THE KNOWLEDGE ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE ON OVER THE COUNTER (OTC) DRUGS AMONG CONSUMERS

Dhinesh A.*, Ragul R. C., Rajarathishan R., Rajesh G., Ramakrishnan M., Sangameswaran B., Kannan S.

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, which are sold without a prescription, are commonly used for self-management of minor health conditions like headaches, colds, and allergies. Although convenient and easily accessible, they can, if used inappropriately, cause adverse effects, drug interactions, and postponement of professional care. Aim to evaluate the public knowledge and attitudes towards OTC medication in Jambai and Bhavani, Tamil Nadu, and encourage safe use. Methods: This prospective observational study. Data were gathered from 249 participants over three months using structured questionnaires on demographics, usage patterns, knowledge, and attitudes. Results: Findings indicated that 58% reported having used OTC drugs, with users predominantly in the 26–35 years age group (43%) and mostly male (61%). Monthly (42%) and infrequent (32%) use were prevalent. There were knowledge gaps—49% only knew about OTC availability without a prescription, 22% thought they were completely safe, and 23% knew about interactions with prescription medication. Attitudinally, 48% wanted OTC use for minor illnesses more than seeing a physician, and only 32% thought pharmacists gave adequate advice. Practices like checking expiry dates infrequently (only 34% always did) and not taking medication once symptoms had improved (36% sometimes) were common Side effects such as headache (14%), vomiting (6%), and fever (5%) were encountered, but 20% of those affected did nothing remedial. Results underscore the importance of specific public health education to enhance knowledge of appropriate OTC use. Conclusion: Pharmacists can play an active role in patient counseling to identify myths, promote reading of labels, observe possible interactions, and ensure proper self-medication practices, thus enhancing community health benefits.