IRRATIONAL DISPENSING AND SELF MEDICATION OF BENZODIAZEPINES BY GENERAL POPULATION OF A BIG CITY

Abstract

Author(s): Huda Kafeel*, Ramsha Rukh, Javeid Iqbal, Safila Naveed

A systematic observational study is performed in general population of age group 18-60 years to collect enough data on the irrational dispensing pattern and self medication of benzodiazepines. There were two separate specially designed Performa’s, one for the OPD pharmacy or dispensary in different communities of Karachi and one for the general population of variable demographic status duly filled by 190 out of 200 OPD pharmacies approached, (n = 190 with response rate 95 %) and 478 out of 508 people approached (n = 478 with response rate 94.09 %) In this study 478 individual participated. Mean age of population was 43.62 ± 17 years. 44.6 % were male (n = 213) and 55.4 % were female (n = 265) the common Benzodiazepines reported to be used by study population are Alprazolam 54 %, Bromazepam 40 %, Clorazepate, Lorazepam and Azolam 2 % each. The three primary reasons reported lead to the use of benzodiazepines by general population are depression 64 %, sleep disturbance 19 % and pain 17 %. There were 68 people (29 %) confessed that they are using it without any prescription from GP. By the Performa filled by OPD community pharmacies findings are benzodiazepines are the 6 th largest selling drug class. Alprazolam and Bromezepam both are the top most selling benzodiazepines members 88.52 % followed by Lorazepam 6.39 %, Clorazepate 0.09 % and others 5.0 %. Among 190 pharmacies visited, around 79 pharmacies (41.57 %) reported to dispense benzodiazepines without prescription. Significant variable with respect to rate of use of benzodiazepines in the community were educational status, socio-economical background, occupation, marital status etc with p < 0.000 when Pearson chi-square test were applied