Assessment of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Community Pharmacists Regarding Over the Counter Drug Dispensing in Gandhidham and Adipur, Gujarat: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: People get OTC drugs directly from the pharmacists for their basic illness. Pharmacists, being the last line of direct contact with the patients, are responsible for educating the patients regarding the effects of OTC drugs. This study focuses on assessing the knowledge, attitude and practice among community pharmacists regarding OTC drugs in Gandhidham and Adipur region of Kutch. This study employs a qualitative survey utilizing in-depth interviews and data collection from community pharmacists working in hospital and medical stores in Adipur and Gandhidham. The primary focus is to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community pharmacists regarding OTC Drugs. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was done. In our study, 173 responses were collected during the survey, which was executed for a period of 6 months. All responses obtained were analyzed and assessed using SPSS software and Microsoft Excel. Results: Community pharmacists had an overall knowledge percentage of 55.35%, their attitude towards dispensing of prescription and OTC Drugs were found to be better (75.97%). Community pharmacists had a good overall practice regarding OTC Drugs. Conclusion: Knowledge percentage regarding the community pharmacists were found to be good which in turn affect their attitude and practice of dispensing prescription drugs. Pharmacists were involved in counselling the patients regarding the OTC medication.