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Family Practice Advance Access published online on January 7, 2005
Family Practice, doi:10.1093/fampra/cmh719
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Family Practice © Oxford University Press 2004, all rights reserved.
Received June 18, 2004
Accepted July 28, 2004

Article

How and why are non-prescription analgesics used in Scotland?

Terry Porteous 1*, Christine Bond 1, Philip Hannaford 1, and Hazel Sinclair 1

1 Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Road, Aberdeen AB25 2AY, UK

* To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Terry Porteous, E-mail: t.porteous{at}abdn.ac.uk


  Abstract

Background. UK Government policy increasingly encourages self-care of minor illnesses, including self-medication. Analgesics constitute a quarter of UK over-the-counter medicines sales, but concerns have been expressed about their potential for inappropriate use.

Objectives. To estimate the prevalence of recent use of non-prescription analgesics in Scotland, to describe by whom they are used, and to estimate inappropriate use.

Method. A cross-sectional postal survey consisting of a self-completed questionnaire that collected data on respondents' use of non-prescription and prescription medicines, as well as demographic and lifestyle data. The sample comprised 2708 subjects of 18 years and over, randomly selected from the Scottish electoral roll.

Results. The response rate was 55% (n = 1501). Some 37% (555/1501) of respondents had used a non-prescription analgesic in the previous two weeks. Analgesics accounted for 59% (636/1081) of all non-prescription medicines used in that period. After controlling for all other variables, age, sex, level of education, self-reported health status, prescription exemption status, and use of prescription analgesics, remained significant predictors of non-prescription analgesic use. There was evidence of possible inappropriate use of non-prescription analgesics including use of multiple analgesics (n = 67), use by individuals self-reporting conditions associated with cautious use of certain analgesics (n = 51), and potential drug-drug interactions (n = 15). A few respondents appeared to be using non-prescription analgesics to supplement medical treatment of chronic conditions (n = 4).

Conclusions. Our findings have demonstrated a high level of use of non-prescription analgesics amongst the general public, with significant potential for inappropriate use. As we move towards a culture of increased self-management of minor illness, this demonstrated need for improved pharmacovigilance of non-prescribed medicines must be addressed.

Keywords: Analgesics; pharmacoepidemiology; primary care; non-prescription drugs.
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