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Evaluation of Medicine Abuse Trends in Community Pharmacies: The Medicine Abuse Observatory (MAO) in a Region of Southern Europe

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Perelló

    (Barcelona College of Pharmacists, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
    Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Karla Rio-Aige

    (Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
    Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain)

  • Rafel Guayta-Escolies

    (Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, 08025 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Pilar Gascón

    (Blanquerna School of Health Sciences, Ramon Llull University, 08025 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Pilar Rius

    (Council of the Pharmacist’s Association of Catalonia, 08009 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Anna M. Jambrina

    (Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
    Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Guillermo Bagaria

    (Barcelona College of Pharmacists, 08009 Barcelona, Spain
    Council of the Pharmacist’s Association of Catalonia, 08009 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mercè Armelles

    (Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Francisco José Pérez-Cano

    (Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
    Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain)

  • Manel Rabanal

    (Physiology Section, Department of Biochemistry and Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Science, University of Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
    Institute of Research in Nutrition and Food Safety (INSA), 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
    Directorate-General for Healthcare Planning and Regulation, Ministry of Health, Government of Catalonia, 08028 Barcelona, Spain)

Abstract

The misuse of medicines is a global public health concern that needs to be taken into consideration and requires actions across all government sectors and society. The aim of this study is to identify trends of drug abuse in Catalonia, a region of Spain located in the South of Europe. For this purpose, a questionnaire-based detection tool was created and implemented in 60 community pharmacies. Out of 548 questionnaires (98.4%), 64.2% of participants were men and the highest age proportion was 25–35 years (31.4%). Potential drug abuse was the highest in urban pharmacies (84.9%). The main drug class involved were benzodiazepines (31.8%), codeine (19.3%), tramadol (7.5%), methylphenidate (5.8%), gabapentinoids (5.8%), cycloplegic drops (4.4%), z-drugs (2.6%), piracetam (2.2%), dextromethorphan (1.6%) and clomethiazole (1.1%). The majority of drugs were requested without prescription (58.6%) and through probably forged prescriptions (23.7%). Slightly less than half (49.8%) of the patients request frequently to the pharmacist, especially in rural and mountain pharmacies (73.3% and 88.5%, respectively). A small proportion (10.8%) were requested with intimidation. Pharmacists only supplied in 21.7% of the cases. This study has demonstrated the suitability of the new detection system, being a useful approach to replicate in other locations with similar needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Perelló & Karla Rio-Aige & Rafel Guayta-Escolies & Pilar Gascón & Pilar Rius & Anna M. Jambrina & Guillermo Bagaria & Mercè Armelles & Francisco José Pérez-Cano & Manel Rabanal, 2021. "Evaluation of Medicine Abuse Trends in Community Pharmacies: The Medicine Abuse Observatory (MAO) in a Region of Southern Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-18, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:15:p:7818-:d:599972
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Abdulmajeed M. Mobrad & Sultan Alghadeer & Wajid Syed & Mohamed N. Al-Arifi & Arafah Azher & Mansour S Almetawazi & Salmeen D. Babelghaith, 2020. "Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs Regarding Drug Abuse and Misuse among Community Pharmacists in Saudi Arabia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-9, February.
    2. Staffan Hägg & Anna K. Jönsson & Johan Ahlner, 2020. "Current Evidence on Abuse and Misuse of Gabapentinoids," Drug Safety, Springer, vol. 43(12), pages 1235-1254, December.
    3. Zaprutko, Tomasz & Koligat, Dorota & Michalak, Michał & Wieczorek, Marta & Józiak, Malwina & Ratajczak, Monika & Szydłowska, Kinga & Miazek, Joanna & Kus, Krzysztof & Nowakowska, Elżbieta, 2016. "Misuse of OTC drugs in Poland," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(8), pages 875-881.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anna M. Jambrina & Neus Rams & Pilar Rius & Maria Perelló & Montserrat Gironès & Clara Pareja & Francisco José Pérez-Cano & Àngels Franch & Manel Rabanal, 2022. "Creation and Implementation of a New Sentinel Surveillance Model in Pharmacy Offices in Southern Europe," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.

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