MEDICATIONS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION AT SAUDI COMMUNITY : EXTENT AND PERCEPTION.

Over the counter drugs (OTC) are medications directly bought from markets without a prescription , there are many groups and categories for symptoms relief or treatment with different action methods. Taking OTC medicines still has risks. Some of them pose risks for people with certain medical conditions and for pregnant women. Some drugs can cause reactions when mixed with other medications or certain foods or drinks. The purpose of this study was to identify these non-prescribed drugs both in pharmacies and supermarkets. Also,to aware the society from the danger of using non-prescrebting drugs. Method:Between November 2014 and February 2015 medical students volunteers in Makkah-KSA visit a number of supermarkets looking for OTC drugs and collect names and families of drugs which are frequently sold as OTC drugs And some pharmacies to see the medication that sold without prescription. Makkah was divided between volunteers for covering a total of 100 pharmacies, and further sub-divided into chain and single pharmacies. A total of 10 supermarkets were randomly included in this study ; 100% of the medical students working were females, 80% of them were 4th year medical students and only 20 % were 5th medical students. Results: in total of 6 agents, All supermarkets (100%) were sold paracetamol, (50%) were sold of multivitamins , (35.7% ) were sold medical agents containing citric acid or bezalkonium choride, (57%) were sold creams with petroleum jell containing and (35.7%) were sold antacid agents. As regard result concerning pharmacies ; A total of 100 pharmacies were randomly included in this study; 100% of the pharmacists working were male, most of them were non-Saudis. In a total of 70 drugs , (100%) of them can prescribe antihistaminics, antihypertensives, antibiotic and anti diabetic drugs without prescription or just by guessing of patients condition requirement or even just by patients samples of medications . All that except of antidepressant medications