A Questionnaire Survey for Prevalence of Medication Use in Dehradun District of Uttarakhand, India

A questionnaire survey was conducted among 200 medical store (drug-retailer working in authorized drug stores) for investigating the prevalence of use of medication in Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Study revealed that, 32.6% patients could show the prescription from a qualified doctor or a dentist. Less than ten percent prescriptions came from dentists. Ninety-two (57.14%) drug retailers answered that a number of patient insisted them to advice on medications for their diseased conditions. Ayurvedic physicians were prescribing allopathic drugs, as reported by ninety-eight (60.8%) drug retailers. Qualified physicians were prescribing herbal drugs, as reported by fourteen (8.6%) drug retailers. Antibiotics were the highest sold 62% followed by tonics 26%, antacids 8% and other drugs 4%. Only eighteen (11.1%) heard about Essential Drugs and twenty eight (17.31%) knew the generic name of some medications. Prescriptions which are not easily readable were reported by fourteen (30.43%) drug retailers. The prices of drugs are increasing was answered by 161(100%) drug retailers. These results concluded that the drug controlling body of the government should take steps to improve the medication use in the community and ensure proper dispensing of medications with legal prescription by only registered pharmacist.