INTRODUCTION:

A paradigm shift has been observed in self-medication practice with OTC medicines in recent times and has become a widespread practice worldwide¹. The self-medicating practice of using over-the-counter (OTC) medications is more common than prescription drug use and it is a growing public health concern worldwide². Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are medicines that may be sold directly to a consumer without a prescription from pharmacy personnel, as compared to prescription drugs, which are dispensed only to consumers possessing a valid prescription³. The World Health Organization defines self-medication as the independent selection and use of medication by an individual to treat illnesses and symptoms of which he or she is aware, or the self-administration of drugs prescribed by a physician to treat a chronic or re-occurring condition⁴. Though it was previously considered unnecessary, responsible self-medication is an essential aspect of self-care⁵. Self-care is common in an environment where effective medicines are readily available, such as over-the-counter (OTC) medicines. Self-care has the potential benefits of effective treatment, reducing medical pressure by reducing the number of doctor visits, reducing medical costs, and improving the independence of patients as they manage their health^6,7.

Worldwide, improper nonprescription medication use is often associated with limited information and low knowledge of medication use⁸. Delays in treatment occur because of incorrect self-diagnosis⁹. Review studies have found that the majority of preventable adverse drug reactions are related to excessive dosage¹⁰, whereas several negative consequences include adverse drug events and drug interactions associated with polypharmacy¹¹. There is also the potential for misuse and abuse of such products¹².

Regarding the knowledge, attitude, and practice of healthcare professional students regarding the use of self-medication and related adverse drug reactions, substantial difference has been reported in various studies^13–16. Knowledge of OTC medicines is crucial as they could help avoid health hazards and increase the effectiveness of the medications. Studies conducted in Japan showed that more than 30% of OTC allergic rhinitis drug users were found to be using the drugs indiscriminately, self-adjusting the dose, using expired drugs, or using the drug beyond the upper limit¹⁷. In a study conducted by the USA, 10% of all birth abnormalities are associated with OTC medicine use during pregnancy¹⁸. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2020 data, percentages of people in each age group misused nonprescription cough and cold medicines to get high in the past year (0.9 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 17, 1.2 percent of young adults aged 18 to 25, and 0.8 percent of adults aged 26 or older)¹⁹.

South Asian countries, in particular, demonstrate higher rates of self-medication²⁰. For instance, Nepal has a rate of 59%, Pakistan has 51%, and Bangladesh shows rates of 81.3% among the younger population and 78.5% among the elderly²¹. In Bangladesh, antimicrobial resistance is a significant issue, primarily attributed to unethical drug sales practices. A recent petition filed in the High Court of Bangladesh aimed to address this problem by seeking legal action against the immoral selling of drugs. It was highlighted that as much as 80% of deaths caused by infections were linked to antimicrobial resistance^22,23.

In India, there are no regulations regarding Non- prescription (OTC) drugs. Thus, to date, there are no specific unifying regulations related to the use and sale of OTC products and this impacts both the accessibility to better health care and patients' safety due to inappropriate use. India, Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940(amended up to 2016) and its subordinate legislation, the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 (amended up to 2020) regulate the import, manufacture, distribution, and sale of drugs and cosmetics. “Prescription-only drugs” have been placed in Schedule H, H1, G, and X of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act (1940) but non-prescription (OTC) drugs are not included as a separate category. Draft regulations to amend Schedule K – containing household remedies were issued in May 2022²⁴. OTC regulations in India are still in the process of being framed.

To prevent irrational drug use, it is necessary to first assess the prevalence of self-medication with OTC among individuals and understand the factors contributing to the same. This study was carried out to assess the knowledge and understanding regarding Non- non-prescription (OTC) drug use and associated factors among the general public.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

An online cross-sectional survey was conducted by circulating a questionnaire. The questionnaire was created using Google Forms in English language, and the link was distributed via various messaging platforms. It was open for responses for a total of 16 days, from April 19 to May 4, 2024, after which the responses were closed and no longer accepted. The survey involved students and faculty from 29 different departments of Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh. Respondents were of different age groups, all 18 years old or above.

A self-administered, structured, and pre-tested questionnaire was used. The questionnaire was adapted from previously conducted similar studies and modified to fit the current context^3,25–27. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was determined using Cronbach’s alpha. The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions broadly divided into five sections:

1. Socio-demographic data (4 questions)

2. Knowledge (12 questions)

3. Attitude (6 questions)

4. Practice (10 questions)

5. Stocking (6 questions)

For the knowledge section, correct responses were scored as one mark, while incorrect and unsure responses were scored as zero. The total knowledge scores ranged from zero to twelve, which were then categorized as: “Good” (≥nine correct answers), “Moderate” (five-eight correct answers), and “Poor” (<five correct answers). The attitude section was measured using a five-point Likert scale with response options ranging from "strongly disagree" to "strongly agree," each weighing 1-5 respectively. A cumulative attitude score of 15 and above was considered indicative of a positive attitude.(Table 1)

Table 1 Cutoff point for data analysis.

	Knowledge	Attitude
Allocated marks for each question	1 mark – Correct response 0 mark – Incorrect response	1 mark - Strongly disagree 2 marks – Disagree 3 marks – Uncertain 4 marks – Agree 5 marks – Strongly agree
Maximum total score	12	30
Interpretation	≥9-“Good” 5-8-“Moderate” <5- “Poor”	≥15 - “Positive” <15- “Negative”

Responses were coded and entered into Excel 2010 and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29.0.2.0(20) for Windows 11, for statistical analysis. The Chi-square test was used to test for significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). In some cases, participants failed to answer every question, resulting in missing data. Missing data were not estimated or included in the analyses.

The questionnaire aimed to reveal self-medication patterns and public views on OTC medicines in terms of safety, potency, and effectiveness, among other factors.

RESULTS:

The internal consistency of the final questionnaire was determined using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The Cronbach’s alpha values for the knowledge and attitude sections were 0.722 and 0.728, respectively, indicating good reliability.

Socio-Demographic Data

A total of 347 respondents participated in the survey. Of these, 192 (55.2%) were female. The majority of respondents (278 or 79.9%) were within the age group of 18-24 years, with a mean age of 20.5 years. Regarding qualifications, most participants were graduates (147 or 42.2%) or postgraduates (112 or 32.2%) (Table 2).

Table 2 Socio-Demographic Characteristic of Participants (n=347)

Variable

n(%)

Age

<18

18-24

25-31

32-38

39-45

>45

9(2.6)

278(79.9)

37(10.6)

11(3.2)

8(2.3)

4(1.1)

Gender

Male

Female

155(44.5)

192(55.2)

Qualification

Primary school

High school

Graduate

Postgraduate

PhD/Professionals

Others

1(0.3)

60(17.2)

147(42.2)

112(32.2)

15(4.3)

12(3.4)

Place of residence

Urban

Rural

212(60.9)

135(38.8)

Knowledge of OTC Medication

The participants had a mean knowledge score of 7.63 out of 12 (SD = 2.57). More than 22.5% of participant’s demonstrated good knowledge (> 9), 66% had moderate knowledge (5-8), and only a small percentage (11.5%) had poor knowledge (see Table 3). Participants' levels of knowledge varied significantly in terms of age (p = 0.004) and place of residence (p = 0.02) (see Table 4). Urban respondents exhibited better knowledge (26.9%) compared to rural respondents (15.6%). Within the entire sample, the 18-24 age group was predominant, with 65.8% of them having moderate knowledge about OTC medication. Compared to male respondents (21.3%), female respondents demonstrated slightly higher levels of good knowledge (23.4%).

Table 3 Responses to knowledge of OTC medication (n=347)

Statement	Correct n (%)	Incorrect n(%)	Unsure n(%)
OTC medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription	262(75.5)	51(14.7)	33(9.5)
We are allowed to use OTC medicines to improve our health	229(66.0)	39(11.2)	78(22.5)
OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve major illnesses (brain and heart diseases)	236(68.0)	48(13.8)	60(17.3)
OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve minor illnesses (fever and mild headache)	287(82.7)	15(4.3)	40(11.5)
Interactions involving OTC medicines can sometimes produce unwanted results or make medicines less effective	204(58.8)	33(9.5)	107(30.8)
OTC medicines can also interact with foods and beverages and health conditions (high blood sugar and high blood pressure)	36(10.4)	210(60.5)	95(27.4)
Pregnant and breast-feeding women should be extra cautious while using OTC drugs	268(77.2)	28(8.1)	45(13.0)
Non-prescription medicine can sometimes mark serious health problems.	238(68.6)	35(10.1)	71(20.5)
Some non-prescription medicine may cause dependency or addiction if taken for a long period of time.	254(73.2)	27(7.8)	63(18.2)
Painkiller is an example of an OTC medication.	279(80.4)	26(7.5)	39(11.2)
Do you also use OTC for the Children?	82(23.6)	196(56.5)	65(18.7)
Paracetamol (such as Panadol) is safe and effective when used correctly but taking too much can lead to liver damage.	271(78.1)	17(4.9)	56(16.1)

Table 4 Association of socio-demographic characteristic with level of knowledge (n=347)

Characteristic

Knowledgescore

Total

n (%)

Good

n (%)

Moderate

n (%)

Poor

n (%)

pValue

Age

<18

18-24

25-31

32-38

39-45

>45

9(2.6)

278(79.9)

37(10.6)

11(3.2)

8(2.3)

4(1.1)

2(22.2)

66(23.7)

7(18.9)

0(0)

1(12.5)

2(50.0)

2(22.2)

183(65.8)

25(67.6)

10(90.9)

7(87.5)

2(50.0)

5(55.6)

29(10.4)

5(13.5)

1(9.1)

0(0)

0.004

Gender

Male

female

155(44.5)

192(55.2)

33(21.3)

45(23.4)

100(64.5)

129(67.2)

22(14.2)

18(9.4)

0.369

Qualification

Primaryschool

High school

Graduate

Postgraduate

PhD/Professional

Others

1(0.3)

60(17.2)

147(42.2)

112(32.2)

15(4.3)

12(3.4)

1(100)

16(26.7)

40(27.2)

17(15.2)

2(13.3)

2(16.7)

0(0)

38(63.3)

93(63.3)

79(70.5)

12(80.0)

7(58.3)

0(0)

6(10.0)

14(9.5)

16(14.3)

1(6.7)

3(25.0)

0.198

Place of residence

Urban

Rural

212(60.9)

135(38.8)

57(26.9)

21(15.6)

139(65.6)

90(66.7)

16(7.5)

24(17.8)

0.02

Attitudes towards OTC Medication

The mean attitude score was 21.34 out of 40 (SD = 3.42). Almost all respondents (334 or 96.3%) indicated a positive attitude toward the use of OTC medicine. Among the total study participants, 56 (16.2%) strongly agree and 212 (61.4%) agree that OTC medication is safe when used correctly. About 55 (15.9%) strongly agree and 198 (57.4%) agree that OTC medication is convenient to obtain and use. A total of 158 (45.8%) respondents agreed that OTC medication can be used during pregnancy and while breastfeeding, but with caution, unless there is a warning label to avoid the medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Almost half of the respondents (155 or 45.8%) agreed that they use OTC medications more often now due to increased availability. Additionally, 48 (13.9%) strongly agree and 169 (49%) agree that it is appropriate to treat minor ailments, such as a common cold, with OTC medications. The majority of participants (282 or 81.7%) agreed that they would seek a pharmacist's advice if they are unsure about their minor illness. No significant differences were observed when comparing attitudes among respondents with different demographic characteristics.

Table 5 Attitude of respondent towards OTC medication (n=347)

Statement

n(%)

Using OTC medicines as self-medication is safe when you use them correctly.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

4(1.2)

22(6.4)

51(14.8)

212(61.4)

56(16.2)

OTC medicines are convenient to obtain and use.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

3(0.9)

21(6.1)

68(19.7)

198(57.4)

55(15.9)

OTC medicines can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding but with caution unless stated on the label to avoid.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

27(7.8)

77(22.3)

83(24.1)

124(35.9)

34(9.9)

I think I use more OTC now because of increased availability.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

17(4.9)

89(25.8)

84(24.3)

124(35.9)

31(9)

I should take OTC medicines when I have minor illness.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

11(3.2)

52(15.1)

65(18.8)

169(49)

48(13.9)

OTC medicines are safe, but I would seek a pharmacist’s advice if I am not sure about my minor illness and which is suitable for it.

Strongly disagree

Disagree

Neither agree nor disagree

Agree

Strongly agree

6(1.7)

14(4.1)

43(12.5)

186(53.9)

96(27.8)

Table 6 OTC practice related characteristic of respondent

Practice Related Questions

Frequency (%)

Total

Male

Female

When do you usually consume OTC medicine(s)?

Symptoms are minor or manageable

Whenever I feel sick

Whenever I cannot visit doctor

177(51.8)

96(28)

69(20.2)

77(43.5)

45(46.9)

29(42)

100(56.5)

51(53.1)

40(58)

How often do you read the instructions on the medicine’s label before use?

Always

Often

Sometimes

Rarely

Never

165(48.1)

74(21.6)

20(5.8)

10(2.9)

67(40.6)

34(45.9)

33(44.6)

11(55)

7(70)

98(59.4)

40(54.1)

41(55.4)

9(45))

3(30)

If the OTC medicine showed a change in shape, colour, or odour, I would immediately discard the medicine.

Yes

Maybe

256(74.6)

41(11.9)

46(13.5)

107(41.8)

22(53.7)

23(50)

149(58.2)

19(46.3)

23(50)

For which illness do you usually go for OTC?

Fever and headache

Dysmenorrhea/ or abdominal cramps

Cough and common cold

272(46.2)

88(14.9)

229(38.9)

121(44.5)

38(43.2)

107(46.7)

151(55.5)

50(56.8)

122(53.3)

Figure 4 Respondent favored OTC medicine for stocking at home.

DISCUSSION:

In recent times, there has been a noticeable shift in self-medication behavior using over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, which has become prevalent on a global scale. In the present study, the prevalence rate of self medication with OTC was 56%. This result was consistent with similar studies, Nepal has a rate of 59%, and Pakistan has 51%²¹. The low prevalence rate depicts the unawareness and low availability of the population SM with OTC medicines. According to a report, around 67% of the Indian population lives in rural areas. Still, rural markets contribute only 17% of the sales, suggestive of limited access to OTC medicines²⁸.

In the current study, the mean knowledge score was 7.63/12. This finding was less than that of a survey conducted in Sri Lanka, which reported that almost all(93.5%) of the respondents were found to have good knowledge about self-medication and had a positive attitude²⁵. Similar findings were also reported by a study conducted in Thailand ²⁹. The low knowledge score can again be correlated to a lack of awareness about OTC drugs.

In this study, there was a significant difference between knowledge of OTC medicines depending on age (p = 0.004) and place of residence (p =0.02). Respondents of the age group 18-24 years belonging to urban residence have better knowledge of OTC medicine use. This is due to better advertisement and exposure to primary healthcare in urban places³⁰.

Some 84(24.6%) reported that they have experienced adverse effects from OTC medication. Studies have shown that taking more than the recommended dose, failing to check the expiry date, and rarely reading labels are some of the common reasons for adverse reactions^31–33.

According to market research data available on Nicholas Hall’s Global CHC Database (DB6 2021), vitamins and supplements (33.8%) hold the most share in the market followed by gastrointestinal 20.9%, then cough, cold and allergy, analgesics and dermatological having 14.6%, 13.7%, and 13.5% respectively³⁴. The majority of respondents (46.2%) in this study choose fever and headache drugs followed by cough and cold 38.9% as common OTC medicine.

The most common source of information on OTC medicine was from pharmacists (66.6%). This study also reported that a lot of participants depend on information from social media (42.2%). This was an unexpectedly high level. In Jordan, students obtained information on OTC medicine from familiarity with the product and advertisement ³⁵. In Nepal, the main sources of information referred to by medical students were pharmacists (60.3%), followed by textbooks (46.3%), and then advertisements (17.5%) ³⁶. Even though the most common source of information is family members, pharmacists play a vital role in safeguarding consumers from potentially inappropriate OTC medicine use³⁷.

Over 69.7% of participants reported always or often reading the instructions on the OTC drug package before they used the product, which is less than that reported previously in China (92%). This decrease could be due to an increase in people’s confidence over time about self-treatment. It could also be due to people’s belief that only safe medicines are permitted to be sold without a prescription and that OTC medicines do not usually have serious side-effects³⁸.

About 2.7% of the students responded that they rarely or never check the expiry date of the OTC medicine before using it. The findings of this study on checking the expiry dates are improved to those from a study in Eritrea where 73.9% of the respondents check the expiry dates⁸.. However, 31% of respondents in Eritrea never read anything. This is concerning because not reading the label and checking the expiry date may lead to the build-up of those expired medications and many harmful effects³⁹.

In the current study, 28.4% of respondents do not have a habit of checking the storage condition. Besides the dangers of accidental poisoning by children and other related risks associated with improper storage of medications, not having an ideal place to store medications can lead to heat and humidity which can contribute to loss of potency and shortening of the shelf life of the medications⁴⁰.

Knowledge and practice of self-medication with OTC were associated with age and socioeconomic status in our study. The probable reason for indulging in self-medication for these conditions is the fact that they are considered minor illnesses, self-limiting in nature and doctor’s consultation is not necessary for them.

LIMITATION:

The study investigates and describes a relatively less-known topic. Due to the limited number of cases and the regional recruitment focus, the study cannot claim to be representative. The questionnaire can be further refined to ensure greater appropriateness and relevance to the topic. One main challenge was that constructing the questionnaire was complex, and no comprehensive tools were available to test the knowledge aspect for this study. The intentional misreporting of behaviors by respondents may confound the survey results or conceal inappropriate behavior. Consequently, the responses to the questionnaire may not accurately reflect the actual attitudes or behaviors of the respondents. The practice segment of the questionnaire included recall questions on OTC medicine use, introducing the likelihood of recall bias. Additionally, future studies should incorporate the views and experiences of doctors and pharmacists. To date, only a few papers have been published on this subject.

CONCLUSION:

Respondents exhibit a good level of knowledge and positive attitudes regarding the use of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. However, there are still some gaps in appropriate practices, particularly in areas such as reading medication labels, checking expiry dates, and proper storage. Despite these issues, only a minority of respondents engage in such inappropriate habits. Enhancing awareness about the correct use of OTC medications and promoting proper self-medication practices can lead to significant positive impacts on individual health.

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APPENDIX:

QUESTIONNAIRE

Introduction-: The general public can effectively and safely use over-the-counter (OTC) medications without consulting a medical professional. OTC drug are also known as non-prescription medicine. This study assesses the knowledge, perception and practices of public toward over-the-counter (OTC) drugs.

Email-

Name-

Section 1- Demographic Characteristics of Study Sample

1. Age

ð <18

ð 18-24

ð 25-31

ð 32-38

ð 39-45

ð >45

2. Gender

ð Male

ð Female

ð Prefer not to answer

3. Qualification

ð Primary school

ð High school

ð Graduate

ð Post graduate

ð PhD/professional

ð Other

4. Place of residence

ð Urban

ð Rural

Section 2- Responses to Knowledge of OTC Medication

5. OTC medicines are medicines you can buy without a prescription.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

6. We are allowed to use OTC medicines to improve our health.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

7. OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve major illnesses (brain and heart diseases).

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

8. OTC medicines are used to treat, prevent or relieve minor illnesses (fever and mild headache).

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

9. Interactions involving OTC medicines can sometimes produce unwanted results or make medicines less effective.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

10. Some OTC medicines can also interact with foods and beverages and health conditions (high blood sugar and high blood pressure).

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

11. Pregnant and breast-feeding women should be extra cautious while using OTC drugs.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

12. Non-prescription medicine can sometimes mark serious health problems.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

13. Some non-prescription medicine may cause dependency or addiction if taken for a long period of time.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

14. Painkiller is an example of an OTC medication.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

15. Do you also use OTC for the Children?

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

16. Paracetamol (such as Panadol) is safe and effective when used correctly but taking too much can lead to liver damage.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

Section 3- Attitudes of respondents to the use of OTC medicines.

17. Using OTC medicines as self-medication is safe when you use them correctly.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

18. OTC medicines are convenient to obtain and use.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

19. OTC medicines can be used in pregnancy and breastfeeding but with caution unless stated on the label to avoid.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

20. I think I use more OTC now because of increased availability.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

21. I should take OTC medicines when I have minor illness.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

22. OTC medicines are safe, but I would seek a pharmacist’s advice if I am not sure about my minor illness and which is suitable for it.

ð Strongly agree

ð Agree

ð Neither agree nor disagree

ð Disagree

ð Strongly disagree

Section 4- Respondent action on the use of OTC medicines.

23. Have you ever practiced self-medication with OTC medicine(s)?

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

24. When do you usually consume OTC medicine(s)?

ð Symptoms are minor or manageable

ð Whenever I feel sick

ð Whenever I cannot visit doctor

25. Have you experienced adverse effects from the OTC medicine(s)?

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

26. Have you ever taken more than the recommended dose for the OTC medicine(s)?

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

27. How often do you read the instructions on the medicine’s label before use?

ð Always

ð Often

ð Sometimes

ð Rarely

ð Never

28. How often do you store your OTC medicine(s) in a cool, dry place or as stated on the label?

ð Always

ð Often

ð Sometimes

ð Rarely

ð Never

29. If the OTC medicine showed a change in shape, colour, or odour, I would immediately discard the medicine.

ð Yes

ð No

ð Maybe

30. What is your source of information about the OTC medicine? (Select all that apply)

ð Doctor

ð Pharmacist

ð Friends/family

ð Advertisement

ð Use it before

ð Internet

31. For which illness do you usually go for OTC? (Select all that apply)

ð Fever and headache

ð Dysmenorrhea/ or abdominal cramps

ð Cough and common cold

32. Which of the following OTC have you used over the past 6 months? (Select all that apply)

ð Painkiller

ð Antacids

ð Antiallergic

ð Vitamins

ð Cold and flu drugs

ð Antidiarrheals

Section 5- Stocking of OTC medicine a home by participants

33. Is there any medicine stocked at home.

ð Yes

ð No

34. How often do you check the expiration of stockpiled drugs?

ð Always

ð Often

ð Sometimes

ð Rarely

ð Never

35. How often do you regularly check your stockpile of medication.

ð Every week

ð Every month

ð Every quarter

ð Every six month

ð Every year

36. Do you have a habit of looking at the storage conditions of your medication.

ð Yes

ð No

37. Have you ever had a medication spoil due to improper storage.

ð Yes

ð No

38. Which of the following medication do you have in stock at home? (Select all that apply)

ð First aid durgs (such as diclofenacdiethylamine cream, iodophor, alcohol,etc)

ð Cold medicine

ð Pain relievers (ibuprofen, etc)

ð Fever reducers (such as acetaminophen (Tylenin, Bentonel)

ð Topical (loatadine, cetirizine)

ð Antidiarrheal drug (lactulose, oral rehydration salts (ORS),etc)

Received on 16.01.2024 Revised on 13.05.2024

Accepted on 03.07.2024 Published on 17.03.2025

Available online from March 26, 2025

Asian Journal of Management. 2025;16(1):11-20.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5763.2025.00003

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Creative Commons License.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

RESULTS:

Socio-Demographic Data

Knowledge of OTC Medication

Attitudes towards OTC Medication

Respondents' Practices Regarding OTC Medicines

Figure 2 Source of information considered by the respondents before purchasing an OTC medicine

Stocking of OTC Medicine at Home by Participants