PENANG, 16th Apr. 2013 - In recent years, there has been an increasing trend for Malaysians to self-medicate themselves with non-prescription medicines (NPM). At the same time, more products have been deregulated for purchase without the need of a prescription.

The Malaysian total healthcare expenditure on over-the-counter medicines (OTC) increased to RM1.5 billion in 2006 from RM1.1 billion in 2001 as the study by Assoc Prof Dr Mohamed Azmi Hassali and his team.

“The growth of OTC healthcare in Malaysia is believed to have been driven by (people’s) greater willingness to self-medicate,” he wrote in the report published by PLOS ONE, a peer-reviewed, open access journal.

Mohamed Azmi, however, lamented that the report focused more on the sale of the products rather than the people’s utilisation of the NPM. With an insight and understanding of the types of NPM used by the general public would help to provide fundamental information on the self-medication status of the population.

The study involved a total of 2,729 pharmacy customers who agreed to participate in 60 selected pharmacy outlets nationwide. During the duration of the study, a total of 3,462 NPM were purchased and it was found that medicines such as vitamins and acid-related disorders (antacids) for the alimentary tract and metabolism were the most purchased (31.8%). This is followed by NPM for the respiratory system including antihistamines (for allergies and runny nose), cough and cold preparations (19.4%). Anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic products for muscles and joint pain medicines were commonly bought for the musculoskeletal system (15.8%).

The study aims to evaluate the purchasing patterns of NPM among Malaysians. Heightened awareness on health and general well-being in recent years may explain the increasing use of NPM. The liberalisation of Medicines (Advertisement and Sale) Act 1956 helped to change the purchasing trend of NPM.  In the process of the study, it also showed that  there was an association between occupation and the NPM selection such as labourers, cleaners and helpers more often purchase medicines related to muscular aches and joint pains.

 

It was highlighted that self-medication practices pose a risk of potential misuse of medicines and a potential delay in treating serious medical conditions. 

 

“Self-medication, however, has its dangers,” Mohamed Azmi cautioned. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, may pose potential risks of gastrointestinal bleeding and kidney impairment.”

 

He suggested a study on the intention and frequency of medicine use be carried out to determine the extent of NPM misuse in the country and the development of a national policy on such medicines. Text: Yong Check Yoon