Prevalence of Unsafe Medicines in Groceries: a Case Study in the Districts of Lom Kao, KhaoKho and Nam Nao in Phetchabun Province

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of unsafe drugs in groceries located in the districts of Lom Kao, Khao Kho and Nam Naoin Phetchabun. Method: This survey research defined unsafe drugs in groceries as non-household medicines. The subjects were 428 groceries from the total of 635 stores in Lom Kao, Khao Kho and Nam Nao. The study employed the questionnaire developed in the study to collect the data on drugs found, amount, date of expiration, source of drug, appropriateness of drug storage, buying pattern, drugs frequently asked for by customers, intended uses, and how to use the drugs. Results: Three hundred and twenty two groceries (73.75%) sold unsafe medicines. The most common unsafe drug was analgesic-antipyretic, such as tiffy, decolgen, apracur available in 282 groceries (65.89%), followed by gastrointestinal medications such as “flying rabbit” salol-menthol mixture (231groceries or 53.97%) and antibiotics (220 groceries or 68.32%). The most common antibiotic was tetracycline (85 stores or 19.86%) followed by amoxicillin (73 groceries or 17.06%) and penicillins (59 stores or 13.79 percent). NSAIDs were found in 139 outlets (43.17 percent). The most prevalent NSAIDs was piroxicam (71 stores or 16.59%), followed by aspirin (64 cases or 14.95%). The cause of drug distribution was customer demand (290 stores or 67.76%), followed by recommendation to sell from retail sources (20 stores or 4.67%).The majority of groceries reported that their sources of medications was modern drugstores on non-dangerous drugs or specially controlled drugs (118 or 36.65%), followed by modern drug stores (99 stores or 30.43%) and other groceries (62 stores or 19.25%). Conclusion: Unsafe drug remained available in a large number of groceries. Grocery is a marketplace easily and conveniently accessed by consumers, therefore measures for consumer protection in educating public and facilitating access to safe drugs are warranted.