scholarly journals Usage of Over-the-Counter and Herbal Products in Common Cold in Poland: Findings from Consumer Survey

2015 ◽  
pp. 21-27
Author(s):  
K. Karlowicz-Bodalska ◽  
K. Miśkiewicz ◽  
D. Kurpas ◽  
S. Han ◽  
A. Kowalczyk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Common Cold ◽  
Consumer Survey ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Herbal Products

Ethanol in Over-the-Counter Drugs

1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 342-343
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
National Health ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
National Health Interview Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Health Interview Survey ◽  
Health Interview ◽  
Interview Survey ◽  
The Common

The use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications among children in the United States is extensive. More than 800 OTC medications are available for treatment of the common cold, with almost 2 billion dollars spent annually on cough and cold medications alone. In 1994, Kogan et al determined that more than 50% of 3-year-old children in the United States had been given OTC medications in the 30 days prior to the study survey. Cough and cold preparations and acetaminophen were reported to be the medications used most frequently (66.7%). The use of cough and cold medications has not decreased when compared with findings from a 1981 National Health Interview Survey, despite increasing evidence that these medications are not effective and, in some circumstances, even may be harmful to children.

Management of Common Cold Symptoms with Over-the-Counter Medications: Clearing the Confusion

2013 ◽  
Vol 125 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Jackson Allen ◽  
Steven Simenson
Keyword(s):  
Common Cold ◽  
Over The Counter

scholarly journals Pharmacist’s recommendations of over-the-counter treatments for the common cold - analysis of prospective cases in Poland

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malgorzata Pietrusiewicz ◽  
Paulina Natalia Kopa-Stojak ◽  
Rafal Pawliczak
Keyword(s):  
Sore Throat ◽  
Common Cold ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Financial Incentive ◽  
Cold Treatment ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Large Network ◽  
Product Price ◽  
Over The Counter

Abstract Background Common cold is a frequent illness in northern hemisphere between late autumn and early spring. Patients suffering from it frequently turn to pharmacists instead of physicians in order to receive medical advice and treatment. We studied its treatment advised by pharmacists in Poland, as well as evidence for the efficacy of their recommendations by utilizing a self-developed questionnaire and a study of existing literature. Methods The data were collected by 27 pharmacists who worked in four large network community pharmacies in Lodz, Poland. The study took place from December 2019 to February 2020. Data were recorded only if the patient asked for pharmacy counselling for over-the counter (OTC) products due to common cold self-diagnosis and a product was sold. Pharmacists’ recommendations were compared with the results of a literature review of best evidence to determine appropriateness of the pharmacists’ decisions. Results In four out of five cases the pharmacists recommended products contained paracetamol. In addition, in one out of three patient encounters they advised nasal decongestant, inosines and/or OTC mucolytics. There was a significant relationship between fever and recommendation frequency of some analgesics, inosines, mucolytics and sore throat products (OR > 1, p < 0.05); rhinorrhea and recommendation frequency of paracetamol, inosines, anti-histamines and alpha-mimetics (OR > 1, p < 0.05); cough and recommendation frequency of paracetamol, inosines, mucolytics and sore throat products (OR > 1, p < 0.05); and fatigue and recommendation frequency of paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid, inosines and sore throat products (OR > 1, p < 0.05). The pharmacist recommendations were based on patients’ symptoms, product price, pharmaceutical company promotion and the financial incentive. In many cases their recommendations were not in line with current best practice recommendations. Conclusions Our study suggests that the most common rationale for pharmacist recommendation on anti-common cold treatment was to take a “shotgun” approach. Pharmacists commonly made recommendations for products that lack strong evidence for efficacy (i.e. anti-viral agents) and are potentially unnecessary, based on presentation of the symptom. Reasons for this situation include lack of training, lack of time to evaluate the patient, lack of awareness of evidence as well as drug company marketing and financial incentives (i.e. fulfilling sale plans and target sale bonuses). Trial registration The study was a non-interventional, observational research trial. The study registration was not required.

Prevalence and use of herbal products in the Czech Republic: Over-the-counter survey among adult pharmacies clients

2012 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karel Knotek ◽  
Vladimir Verner ◽  
Petra Chaloupkova ◽  
Ladislav Kokoska
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
The Czech Republic

An Assessment of Herbal Weight Loss Products

1999 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle R. Easton ◽  
W. Alexander Morton
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Medication Use ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Over The Counter ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Herbal Medication ◽  
Safety And Efficacy ◽  
Amount Of Information

Although herbal medication use has exploded over the last several years, the amount of information regarding efficacy and safety has not been as generous. There are numerous herbal weight loss products available over-the-counter that claim to“increase energy,”“decrease water retention,”“curb sugar cravings,”“suppress hunger,” and“build muscles.” However, verified and validated studies to confirm these weight loss claims are lacking in the scientific arena. Issues of safety and efficacy are discussed as well as guidelines for patients taking herbal products and suggestions for interventions that pharmacists can provide to consumers.

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