L’usage des IPP entre l’automédication et la prescription en officine dans la wilaya de Sétif et de bordj Bou Arreridj

Abstract

At least once in their lives, many patients have been treated with PPIs. This drug class, known for its numerous therapeutic effects, is commonly prescribed for its efficacy, tolerance profile and safety. The study was a cross-sectional descriptive statistical epidemiological survey carried out using a paper questionnaire intended for patients purchasing PPIs from private pharmacies in the Wilayas of SETIF and Bordj Bou Arréridj. The aim of this study, which lasted 3 months, was to assess the use of PPIs between prescription and self-medication, and to determine the extent to which patients were advised by their pharmacist or pharmacy staff. Out of 130 patients surveyed, 44 (33.9%) were over 55 years of age, 62.3% were women and 66.9% had a higher education. The survey revealed that 46.9% of patients had already taken PPIs by self-medication, and 53.1% by doctor's prescription. The most commonly used molecule was Omeprazole. Concerning the reasons for the latter, 58 patients believe that they know more about their illnesses, and 43.07% of patients reported that they base their choice of medication on its good reputation. GERD is the main reason for taking PPIs (40.7%), while 38.5% of participants take them to prevent gastroduodenal lesions caused by NSAIDs. General practitioners were the most frequent prescribers of PPIs, with 43.1%. In short, the use of PPIs can vary from self-medication to prescription. Prescriptions are generally based on a full medical assessment, taking into account the patient's medical history, symptoms, test results and other relevant factors. As a result, patients have become accustomed to self-diagnosis and self-selection of treatments, which puts them at risk of misdiagnosis, drug selection and/or dosage, and makes it imperative to mobilize and exploit every means to raise public awareness of the risks of this practice.