RPS Conference 2010, Abstracts 2010 - Royal Pharmaceutical Society

decide for themselves what non-prescription medicine they want, even if there was no scientific
evidence for it.
Conclusions: These findings complement results from previous research 3 with community
pharmacists. Furthermore, while other studies 2,4 have investigated public attitudes towards OTC
medication, little research has been done with the public to investigate views on evidence of
effectiveness. In this study, there was generally ambivalence regarding need for evidence of
effectiveness when choosing an OTC medicine, with autonomy of the individual and safety
taking precedence over evidence. In an era where the over-the-counter market is continually
expanding 2 and self-care is of utmost importance 1 , this study provides valuable insight into
consumer opinion on evidence of effectiveness. However, a limitation of this study is that only
opinions of consumers in shopping centres were obtained which may not be representative of
the population and excluded certain groups e.g. those who are housebound.
References:
1.Building on the Best. Choice, Responsiveness and Equity in the NHS. Department of Health.
London. December 2003
2. The Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB)(website)
(accessed 17/4/2009)
3. Hanna LA, Hughes CM. ‘First, do no harm’: Factors that influence pharmacists making
decisions about over-the-counter medication: a qualitative study in Northern Ireland. Drug Saf
2010; 33(3): 245-255
4. Fearn P, Watson M, Bond, C, Entwistle, V, Johnston, M and Lee, A. Public attitudes, beliefs
and norms about non-prescription medicines and providing information during consultations for
those medicines. Int J Pharm Pract 2009; 17 (Suppl. 2):B12