抄録
In order to ascertain the use of health foods and over-the-counter drugs (OTC) in the Bingo area,we asked 205 members of the public visiting drug stores to fill out a questionnaire.The aim of the major questions asked was to determine the percentage of the general population using health foods and OTC,the purpose of using them and the kinds of health foods and OTC used.Other questions concerned the person advising people on the use of health foods and OTC,side effects of health foods and OTC,and awareness of general population regarding the interactions between drugs and OTC.
The results of the questionnaire revealed that about 25% of the general population was 60 years old or over providing evidence of marked aging of the population in the Bingo area.Also,following eye lotions,health foods accounted for large percentages of items purchased suggesting that awareness of self-medication was very high.Furthermore,70% of respondents desired the opinion of specialist regarding self-medication.
As these results were very different from those obtained in a suburban area of Okayama,in providing information on health foods and OTC,we should consider the needs of each area’s population.In this regard,the information obtained from the responses received will enable us to provide better pharmaceutical care to the general population in the Bingo area.
