title: Misuse of OTC drugs in Poland.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs became a global public health concern. Although abuse with dextrometorphan (DXM), pseudoefedrine (PSD), codeine (COD) or benzydamine (BND) may lead even to psychosis, drugs containing these substances are relatively cheap and freely available. In Poland the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in 2015, however it seems that there are still some points which could be improved.
  
  
  METHODS
  Study was conducted between October 2014 and June 2015 using a specially designed questionnaire delivered to pharmacists from the Greater Poland region. Questionnaire consisting of 11 closed questions was distributed by direct contact and via the Internet. From over 2500 distributed questionnaires, we received 761 sheets and 680 were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The misuse of OTC drugs is increasing in Poland from pharmacists point of view. The most popular substance was PSD followed by COD and DXM. The main reason of misuse of these drugs could be related to the use of Internet and free access to these medications. In respondents (58.2%) opinion OTC drugs containing analyzed substances should be moved into the prescription status.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The misuse of OTC drugs should be considered as a very dangerous phenomenon. Although the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction was amended in Poland in 2015, there are some facets requiring improvement. Social education may play a key role in the limitation of misuse of OTC drugs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland. Electronic address: tomekzaprutko@ump.edu.pl.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zaprutko
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Dorota
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koligat
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Sciences and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Michał
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Michalak
authors.affiliation: Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wieczorek
authors.affiliation: Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Malwina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Józiak
authors.affiliation: Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ratajczak
authors.affiliation: Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Kinga
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Szydłowska
authors.affiliation: Student Scientific Society, Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miazek
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kus
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacoeconomics and Social Pharmacy, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 79 Dąbrowskiego Street, 60529 Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Elżbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nowakowska
mesh_terms: D003061:Codeine / Q000009:adverse effects; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000191:economics*; D010595:Pharmacists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011044:Poland; D024382:Professional Role / Q000523:psychology; D054199:Pseudoephedrine / Q000009:adverse effects; D011634:Public Health; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D054199:Pseudoephedrine; D003061:Codeine
keywords: Law; Misuse; OTC drugs; Pharmacists’ opinions; Poland