Minor Ailments & Self Care

Question 1

What are some common health conditions in Canada?

Answer 1

Diabetes
Heart attacks
Arthritis
Depression
Bladder infections
Asthma

Question 2

Are minor ailments responsible for a large proportion of primary care interactions?

Answer 2

Yes, respiratory tract infections, back pain, dermatitis, cough are in the top 10 most common ailments seen by physicians

Question 3

What is the illness pyramid?

Answer 3

The broad base at the bottom represents conditions that can be handled by anyone

Further up is utilization of pharmacy care

Even further up is utilization of physician care

At the highest level, we have surgery and other specialized medical services

Question 4

Why are minor ailments important?

Answer 4

Although minor ailments are not life-threatening, service needs to be provided relatively quickly, otherwise patients leave

Question 5

What is Self-care?

Answer 5

This is how individuals take care of themselves and prevent escalation/incidence of minor ailments

ex. brushing teeth, good diet, exercise

Question 6

Why is self-medication not like general self-care?

Answer 6

Self-medication refers to individuals taking drugs without professional advice

ex. grabbing tylenol for pain

Question 7

How do people deal with symptoms?

Answer 7

Do nothing (tough it out, a very common event)

OTC product

Non-med measure

See their MD

Question 8

What factors determine what people do with their symptoms?

Answer 8

Symptom severity
Familiarity/knowledge
Cost/convienence
Health status of patient
age of patient
Impressions of OTCs

Question 9

How many Canadians check the ingredients list on over-the-counter products?

Answer 9

Only 1/3 of general population, only 20% of young adults

Question 10

What is the maximum daily dose for acetaminophen?

Answer 10

4g/day, we start to worry about adverse effects after 8g

Question 11

Does the public know OTCs may have side effects?

Answer 11

60% are unaware of the side effects of their OTC product

Question 12

What are line extensions?

Answer 12

A brand name will use their name to extend into treating other illnesses by having mixes of original and added drugs

Pharmacists need to help patients find what products are best fit to their symptoms

Question 13

What are the benefits of self-medication?

Answer 13

It is faster and community pharmacies are highly accessible

cheaper for government, no need for professional help

Reduce load on healthcare system and triage

Question 14

What are the risks of self-medication?

Answer 14

Can delay MD care (patients underestimate severity and patient does not know what adverse effects/improvement looks like)

Risks of self-medication are greater than general self-care

Question 15

Describe OTC regulation on sales in Canada?

Answer 15

Schedule I: prescription
Schedule II: Behind-the-counter
Schedule III: over-the-counter in pharmacies
Schedule IV: can be sold anywhere

Question 16

Why are lock and leaves utilized in pharmacies?

Answer 16

They gatekeep drugs that have been deemed to require professional advice before dispense

Question 17

Where do people get information about drugs?

Answer 17

Physicians (especialy for prescriptions)
Pharmacists (OTC products)
Family/friends
Product package/insert
Media
Advertising
Internet/WebMD

Question 18

What is the public’s perception of OTC products?

Answer 18

Patients may think OTCs are completely safe because they are for sale almost everywhere

The de-medicinization of OTCs is a concern for pharmacists

Question 19

What is the pharmacist’s role when it comes to OTC?

Answer 19

Assess symptoms/make recommendations
Provide information on proper drug use
Respond to specific questions
Monitor drug use

Question 20

How does the public view pharmacists as OTC advisors?

Answer 20

Patient satisfaction seems high

Percieved as friendly/helpful

Tend to be well respected

Most people accept your advice

Question 21

What are some shortcomings in pharmacist’s role in OTC advising?

Answer 21

1) Not enough questions asked

2) pharmacists pay less attention to OTCs (perception of higher importance of behind the counter medication)

3) some evidence of low accessibility (tend to work in the back)