Vol. 8, 2023

Novelties in Covid-19 research

MONITORING THE CONSUMPTION OF DRUGS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Violeta Ilić Todorović, Jasmina Jovanović Mirković, Christos Alexopoulos, Momčilo Todorović, Nemanja Nenezić, Zorica Kaluđerović

Pages: 40-44

DOI: 10.37392/RapProc.2023.09

In addition to the traditional role of pharmacists in the preparation, distribution and dispensing of medicines, today pharmacists represent an important link in the health system with their active participation in health promotion and prevention of many diseases. There are a number of educational activities of pharmacists aimed at familiarizing the population with the importance of a healthy lifestyle and risk factors for the development of diseases. Self-medication is defined as the application of drugs for the treatment of symptoms and diseases that the patient himself recognizes. Self-medication is the primary resource of any healthcare system. However, only with adequate, professional advice from pharmacists, who can identify, prevent and solve problems related to self-medication, an optimal and safe outcome of therapy can be achieved, as well as improving the quality of life of patients. The aim and tasks of the research work. Monitoring the consumption of the following OTC preparations: zinc, selenium, vitamins C and D, Paracetamol, Naphazoline, Xylometazoline and Ibuprofen (of 200, 400, 600 mg) immediately before the COVID-19 pandemic, during the COVID-19 pandemic and immediately after. Methodology of the research work. A cross-sectional study was applied before the declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The data source was the electronic prescription database (POINTER 2023) of the “Zdravlje 1” pharmacy in Despotovac. The study lasted 4 years (from 01.01.2019 to 31.12.2022). The data were calculated in the SPSS statistics 20 program package and are presented graphically. Results and discussion. By far the highest consumption is for Ibuprofen 400 mg, followed by Ibuprofen 600 mg, while the lowest consumption for the four-year period from 2019-2022 was for Ibuprofen 200 mg. Observed for each year individually, it was noted that the use of Ibuprofen 200 mg during the outbreak of COVID-19 (2020) showed a drastic increase, five times higher values on an annual basis compared to the time period before and after the occurrence of COVID-19. Conclusion. Taking into account the four-year period of supplementation with zinc, selenium, vitamin D and C also shows an increase in the consumption and use of these supplements for the time period of 2020 and 2021, so that in 2022 there will be a reduction in the use and sale of these OTC preparations.
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