Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/183719
Title: Evaluation of Medicine Abuse Trends in Community Pharmacies: The Medicine Abuse Observatory (MAO) in a Region of Southern Europe
Author: Perelló, Maria
Rio-Aige, Karla
Guayta, Rafael (Guayta Escolies)
Gascón Lecha, M. Pilar
Rius, Pilar
Jambrina Albiach, Anna Maria
Bagaria, Guillermo
Armelles, Mercè
Pérez-Cano, Francisco J.
Rabanal i Tornero, Manel
Keywords: Abús dels medicaments
Drogues
Serveis farmacèutics
Medication abuse
Drugs of abuse
Pharmaceutical services
Issue Date: 1-Aug-2021
Publisher: MDPI
Abstract: The misuse of medicines is a global public health concern that needs to be taken into consideration and requires actions across all government sectors and society. The aim of this study is to identify trends of drug abuse in Catalonia, a region of Spain located in the South of Europe. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based detection tool was created and implemented in 60 community pharmacies. Out of 548 questionnaires (98.4%), 64.2% of participants were men and the highest age proportion was 25-35 years (31.4%). Potential drug abuse was the highest in urban pharmacies (84.9%). The main drug class involved were benzodiazepines (31.8%), codeine (19.3%), tramadol (7.5%), methylphenidate (5.8%), gabapentinoids (5.8%), cycloplegic drops (4.4%), z-drugs (2.6%), piracetam (2.2%), dextromethorphan (1.6%) and clomethiazole (1.1%). The majority of drugs were requested without prescription (58.6%) and through probably forged prescriptions (23.7%). Slightly less than half (49.8%) of the patients request frequently to the pharmacist, especially in rural and mountain pharmacies (73.3% and 88.5%, respectively). A small proportion (10.8%) were requested with intimidation. Pharmacists only supplied in 21.7% of the cases. This study has demonstrated the suitability of the new detection system, being a useful approach to replicate in other locations with similar needs.
Note: Reproducció del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157818
It is part of: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2021, vol. 18, num. 15, p. 1-18
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2445/183719
Related resource: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18157818
ISSN: 1661-7827
Appears in Collections:Articles publicats en revistes (Bioquímica i Fisiologia)

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