Pharmacy Practitioners Regarding Abuse and Misuse of Prescription and Non-Prescription Drugs in Zawia City-Libya: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aim: The misuse and abuse of prescription and over-the-counter drugs present a significant global public health concern, particularly in Libya, where there is a lack of information regarding the knowledge and perspectives of community pharmacy personnel on this issue. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and experiences of community pharmacy practitioners concerning the misuse/abuse of prescription and non-prescription medicines. To identify the strategies employed to mitigate drug misuse and abuse. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study utilizing a standardized questionnaire was undertaken among 170 community pharmacy practitioners in Zawia City between January and March 2023, with data analysis conducted using SPSS. Results: Out of the 170 participants surveyed, 150 provided responses, yielding insights that 77.9% of respondents were able to differentiate between drug abuse and misuse.81.3% believed that some OTC medicines were being misused /abused in their pharmacy. 75% of the study sample thought that it was unethical to sell misused controlled drugs. The two most used strategies were advising consumers about adverse drug reactions (69.3%) and refusal to sell (58.6%). Conclusion: This study has provided valuable insights into community pharmacy practitioners' knowledge, attitudes, and perspectives regarding the misuse/abuse of OTC and prescription medicines. Strategies for OTC medicine regulations, ongoing pharmacy educational and training programs, and patient awareness are imperative to mitigate the risks associated with drug misuse and abuse.