Abstract:
Over the counter or non-prescription drugs are defined as a group of medicines which
can be obtained without a valid prescription. Superintend pharmacists are the healthcare
professionals who are often approached by patients for their health illnesses. Therefore,
they should have proper knowledge and practice on dispensing over the counter. The
study aimed to assess the knowledge and dispensing practice on over the counter use
and influence of selected socio demographic factors on them among the superintend
pharmacists in Jaffna district. This study was carried out as a descriptive cross-sectional
study from October 2020 to July 2021 among 67 superintend pharmacists. A self administered questionnaire was used as a study instrument and validated by supervisors,
pharmacologists, and the chief pharmacist. Ethical clearance was obtained from the Ethics
Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. The data were analysed
by using SPSS (version 23). The knowledge was assessed according to the mean value
of the knowledge score. The relationship between the knowledge and the categorical
variables were determined by using chi-square test. The response rate was 89.55 %
(n=60). Among the participants 43.3 % had good knowledge on over the counter. Most
of the participants (83.3%) were able to define over the counter. Age (p=0.026), working
experience (p=0.046) and the highest education level (p=0.033) showed statistically
significant association on knowledge. The dispensing practice of the over the counter
were very good among the superintend pharmacists. The reasons for the good practice
were the age, education level and working experience of the superintend pharmacists.
The majority of superintend pharmacists had poor knowledge. The awareness program
among superintend pharmacists may reduce the abuse and misuses of the over the
counter.
