Prevalence and Factors Affecting Inappropriate Distribution of Drugs at Grocery Stores in Amphoe Chombueng, Ratchaburi Province
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Abstract
Objective: To survey the prevalence and factors related to inappropriate distribution of drug at grocery stores in Chombueng District, Ratchaburi Province. Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study. The study collected the data using interview and questionnaires from 400 randomly chosen grocery stores in Chombueng District between July 1, 2022 to September 2, 2022. Collected data included legal classification of drugs available in groceries, characteristics of grocery owners and groceries, and motivation for distributing inappropriate drugs. Data were analyzed descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: A total of 250 grocery stores were surveyed with 179 of them selling drugs. 136 (75.98%) distributed inappropriate drugs or non-household drugs. Most sold packaged drugs that were non-dangerous or specially controlled drugs, dangerous drugs and non-general sale herbal products (67.65, 57.35 and 63.24%, respectively). Dangerous drugs i.e., antibiotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and Yachud were found in 12.50%, 10.29% and 5.15% of the groceries, respectively. Expired drugs were found in 12.29% of the groceries. The sources of inappropriate drugs were modern drugstores (75.74%), followed by wholesalers (13.97%). Most drug suppliers were from Chombueng district (79.41%). Drug needs of people in the communities was a statistically significant motivator for groceries to distribute inappropriate drugs (OR=4.25, 95%CI=1.23-14.71; P=0.022). Other significant factors related to such behaviors were distances between grocery stores and drugstores (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.85-0.99; P=0.044). Conclusion: High prevalence of grocery stores duistributing inappropriate drugs was found, which might lead to unsafe use of drugs. In order to contain and resolve the problem, collective action among grocery owners, consumers and the authorities is needed both in reactive and proactive strategies.
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ผลการวิจัยและความคิดเห็นที่ปรากฏในบทความถือเป็นความคิดเห็นและอยู่ในความรับผิดชอบของผู้นิพนธ์ มิใช่ความเห็นหรือความรับผิดชอบของกองบรรณาธิการ หรือคณะเภสัชศาสตร์ มหาวิทยาลัยสงขลานครินทร์ ทั้งนี้ไม่รวมความผิดพลาดอันเกิดจากการพิมพ์ บทความที่ได้รับการเผยแพร่โดยวารสารเภสัชกรรมไทยถือเป็นสิทธิ์ของวารสารฯ
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