Abuse and Misuse of Prescription and Nonprescription Drugs Sold in Community Pharmacies in Jordan

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate abuse/misuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs in community pharmacies in Jordan by random distribution of a structured questionnaire to 405 pharmacies (November 2005–January 2006). Data were analyzed using SPSS for windows (version 14.0). Most respondents (94.1%) suspected that some level of abuse/misuse occurred in their pharmacy, which was highest for decongestants, cough/cold preparations, benzodiazepines, and antibiotics. Abuse/misuse of prescription and nonprescription drugs is present in Jordan, but current methods for controlling the problem are ineffective, and better methods should be developed. The study's limitations are noted..

Keywords :

• abuse
• community pharmacy
• Jordan
• drug misuse
• nonprescription
• prescription

The Authors

Abla Albsoul-Younes, Ph.D, is Associate Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. She has numerous publications to her credit; her areas of interest include Neuroscience: signal transduction and ion channels physiology and pharmacology; pharmacy practice in Jordan; patients' awareness, improved efficacy and tolerability with proper use of drugs.

Mayyada Al-Wazaify, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacy, the University of Jordan. She has numerous publications to her credit.

Yousef Al-Motassem, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan. He has numerous publications to his credit; his areas of interest are molecular pharmacology, and pharmacy care.

Linda Tahaineh, Pharm. D, M.S., is Assistant Professor, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan; she has numerous presentations to her credit.