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
Abstract | References | Full Text (PDF)
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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