1
Department of Clinical Pharmacy and
Biopharmacy, 2 Department of
Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry,
Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo,
Nigeria. 3 JDJIDE Pharma
Limited, Ikot Ekpene, Nigeria.
*Corresponding
author: Email:
jdjide@yahoo.com
Tel: +234-803-794-7338
Tropical
Journal of Pharmaceutical Research,
September
2008; 7(3):
1013-1018
Abstract
Purpose:
The widespread use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID) has meant that the adverse effects of
these relatively safe drugs have become increasingly
prevalent. This work examines the pattern of sale and
use of NSAIDs as to call for caution in cases of misuse
that may lead to renal, gastrointestinal and cardiac
damage in users.
Methods:
56 drug outfit managers in patent medicine store,
pharmacy, hospital drug unit and market centre visited
in their outlets, were evaluated with respect to years
of experience, educational level and registration
status. 180 NSAIDs users were also assessed based on
their perception and pattern of use of the drugs in view
of their personally declared previously and diagnosed
ailments.
Results:
86% of the drug outfit managers had less than tertiary
education with 59% of the sampled outfits being
unregistered and unlicensed. 74% of the sample
population procured their NSAIDs from sources where
adequate pharmaceutical care is unlikely to be available
in an observed situation where 79% have clinical
conditions likely to be worsened by NSAID misuse.11.1 %
of the respondents who are categorized as geriatrics
ingest NSAIDs daily while over 23% of this class require
more than two different NSAIDs at a time.
Conclusion:
Restriction in the sale, by way of reviewing the sale
status, of NSAIDs will drastically reduce the rate at
which the drugs are ingested. The possible
gastrointestinal, renal and cardiac damage due to NSAID
misuse requires evaluation so that the required level of
caution can be exercised in the handling of the drugs.
Keywords:
NSAIDs, Sales pattern, Misuse, Sale status, Restriction
