- Asian Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences (2013) Volume 3, Issue 20

Drug Interaction Awareness among Public Attending GMCH Ajman/UAE

This study is designed to assess peoples' knowledge towards drug interactions and their awareness towards the management and prevention of drug interaction in Ajman, UAE. A cross sectional study was conducted among subjects attending GMC hospital pharmacy/ GMCHRC [Gulf Medical College Hospital and Research Center], Ajman, UAE. Self-administered questionnaire was used as a tool for data collection. The questionnaire included the sociodemographic characteristics of the participants and ten questions for the assessment of participants’ knowledge and awareness towards drug interactions and their management and prevention. Results showed that both male and female were significantly aware about drug interaction types P<0.01. There was a significant association between the finding and demographic variable such as age, and occupation. The poor knowledge response towards drug interaction types and poor awareness towards the management and prevention of drug interaction was recorded by participants with the age group above 40 years and participants without occupation. All participants were significantly recorded poor knowledge response towards the possible interaction of (OTC) and prescription medication with herbal remedies and supplements (P<0.01) and significant poor awareness (P<0.01) towards the management and prevention of drug interaction by visiting and purchasing all drug prescriptions from the same pharmacy. In conclusion, there is a need to improve the knowledge of elderly patients towards drug interaction types and the risk of polypharmacy and their awareness towards the management of drug interaction. Mass education program by health authorities is required for public in one side and health professional from the other side to control unwanted adverse drug reactions.

Author(s): Nehad M. Hamoudi, Noor Y. Al-Obaidi, Farman M. Khan

Abstract PDF