Elsevier

Health Policy

Volume 110, Issue 1, April 2013, Pages 76-83
Health Policy

Non-prescription medicines for pain and fever—A comparison of recommendations and counseling from staff in pharmacy and general sales stores

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2012.12.006Get rights and content
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open access

Abstract

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to map and analyze the content and quality of the encounter when customers buy non-prescription medicines for pain and fever.

Methods

297 pharmacies and 801 general sales stores (GSS) in Sweden were selected. A “Mystery shopper” exercise was conducted. Three scenarios were used and a total of 366 units were selected for each scenario. There were in total 625 observers: 208 in the child with fever scenario, 225 in the Reliv scenario, and 192 in the painkiller during pregnancy scenario. Data collection: 21st September to 20th November 2011.

Results

In two out of three visits to GSS, the staff proposed a medicine for a heavily pregnant woman. The staff suggested in 9% of the visits a medicine that is inappropriate in late pregnancy. The corresponding percentage in pharmacies was 1%.

Both pharmacies and GSS proposed, in 6% a medicine that is inappropriate for babies to a feverish child. Only 16% of the pharmacists and 14% of the staff in GSS asked for the age of the child.

General sales staff recommended in 10% ibuprofen and in 4% an acetylsalicylic acid product when an acetaminophen preparation was requested. The corresponding percentage in the pharmacy were 4% ibuprofen, 2% diclofenac, and 1% an acetylsalicylic acid product.

Conclusions

The staff in GSS and pharmacies do not pay sufficient attention to the heterogeneity of painkillers, which lead to inappropriate recommendations.

Keywords

Analgesics
General sales stores’ counseling
Non-prescription medicines
Over-the-counter drugs
Pharmacists’ recommendations and counseling
Sweden

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Disclaimer: This manuscript represents the views of the authors, not necessarily those of the Swedish medicine regulatory agency (Medical Products Agency) where the authors are employed.