Michelle S.

Tolentino
4F-Pharmacy

38

1.) Referring to table 2, do you think Doctors advice correctly ranks number 1 in the
services of information? State what you perceive SHOULD BE ranked numbers 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.
And state your reasons why?
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Advice of Drug Store Personnel

Knowledge of OTC
Doctors Advice
Television Advertisement
Advice of a Parent
In choosing an OTC drug the best preference for me is the one advised by the
pharmacist in the community or hospital pharmacies because pharmacists are the ones
who are knowledgeable on drugs mechanisms of actions and side effects. The second
best I think is your own knowledge about it, this knowledge which came from your
experience and observations can help you in determining the best drug which has a
maximal effect for you. Doctors advice is the last to consider for me because sometimes
they are only recommending drugs which medical representatives convinced them to
endorse leading to a bias decision.

2.) For table 3, why do you think that self-medication practices are illegal and dangerous,
State at least 3 samples for each.
ILLEGAL
Self-medication can be illegal because you are disobeying laws especially laws in
Republic Act 5921 if you are referring here in the Philippines.

Purchasing prescription drugs without prescription or using outdated prescriptions

Faking a prescription to buy antidepressants or antipsychotics
People abusing the use of painkillers because they are already addicted to it

DANGEROUS
Self-medication can be dangerous to your health because it can cause different adverse
reactions and toxicities.
Taking in multiple medications at the same time that are not safe to mix up causes
health concern such as liver toxicity
Assigning dosages which can lead to overdosage
Self-medication can mask the real condition of the patient which can lead to wrong
diagnosis and involve deleterious effects

3.) From table 4, what service/practice opportunities can you find from the first ranked
intention? Cite a specific example from previous internship or personal experience of how
your practice? Knowledge can affect a consumers preference and on the OTC drug/s that
they will purchase or patronize.
I think that the first rank intention which is to seek immediate relief of minor ailment is
a kind of patient counselling. Here the patient needs a healthcare professional that will answer
his concern regarding his minor ailment. An advice coming from a pharmacist in community or
hospital can be a big help in the healthcare need of this patient. During my internship in UST
Hospital I witnessed pharmacist counselling a constipated patient and asking her to take
motilium and if the symptoms ask the help of a medical director already.

4.) From table 8, how are consumers assured that the OTC medications they are using
effective and safe?
The patients are assured that the OTC medications they are using are effective and safe
because of the reasonable price of the product, easy access of the information regarding the
drug in books, magazines or in the internet because of popularity of the product to the
consumers, the products were made by trusted manufacturers and approved by FDA,
presentable and tamper resistant container of the product and lastly the most important is the
effect on the patient and how the drug is improving the quality of their life.

5.) What other common ailments can you include on table 9? Give at least 3 ailments and
state why you think it can /should be added in this list?
Constipation- People likes food very much and this ailment is common in every occasion. Many
OTC drugs are available for this ailment.
Heartburn- Alcoholic drinkers and those people fond of drinking acidic juices and coffee are
prone to this ailment. This can give severe discomfort which is not tolerable so an immediate
treatment should be available.
Mouth Sores- This ailment is common to the people because it is cause by accidentally biting
your lips and cheeks or irritation cause by sharp objects and braces. This cause pain which
causes you difficulty in eating or swallowing this is the reason why it needs immediate action.
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Michelle S. Tolentino