[Postmarketing surveillance studies in community pharmacies].
Postmarketing surveillance of prescription medicines is a routine practice, yet similar evaluation of non-prescription medicines is uncommon. In order to get insights into the validity of pharmacy-based observational studies 22 postmarketing surveillance studies in the German community of pharmacies involving non-prescription medications have been investigated. The objective was to evaluate their contribution to the knowledge about drug use in self-medication. The results of the comparative evolution show that postmarketing surveillance studies with non-prescription medications deliver valid and meaningful findings about the usage, effectiveness and safety. Statements to the efficacy of the drug often serve marketing interests.
Nieber
Karen
K
Universität Leipzig, Institut für Pharmazie, Talstr. 33, 04103 Leipzig. Nieber@rz.uni-leipzig.de
Lehmacher
Walter
W
D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011358:Product Surveillance, Postmarketing; D012651:Self Medication
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs