Information-Seeking Behavior of Over-the-Counter Medication From 2012 to 2022 Based Google Trends Data in Hungary
Author(s)
Zsuzsanna Kívés, MSc, PhD1, Diána Elmer, MSc, PhD1, Réka Vajda, MSc, PhD1, Imre Boncz, MSc, PhD, MD1, Márió Gajdács, MPH, MSc, PharmD, PhD2;
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Szeged, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
1University of Pécs, Faculty of Health Sciences, Institute for Health Insurance, Pécs, Hungary, 2University of Szeged, Department of Oral Biology and Experimental Dental Research, Szeged, Hungary
OBJECTIVES: Upon recognizing the symptoms of a medical condition, individuals often initiate self-medication, where the accessibility of over-the-counter (OTC) medications plays a pivotal role. The internet serves as a crucial source of information regarding these pharmaceuticals. This research investigated the evolution of internet search characteristics for OTC medications from 2012 to 2022, utilizing data from Google Trends.
METHODS: This retrospective study involved the collection of data of the keywords "over-the-counter" and "without prescription" from the Google Trends database, focusing on the relative search frequency (RSV - relative search volume, a ratio on a scale from 0 to 100) for the years 2012-2022, both in Hungary and globally. In addition to descriptive statistical analyses, we conducted paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, as well as independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, employing JASP 0.16.4 software (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The annual average RSV for the keyword "over-the-counter" in Hungary exhibited an increase between 2012-2015 and 2019-2022, while stagnation was observed in the intervening years (2012: 55.3; 2013: 62.4; 2014: 71.5; 2015: 74.2; 2016: 65.1; 2017: 62.3; 2018: 65.7; 2019: 76.8; 2020: 70.6; 2021: 75.9; 2022: 84.6). Significant differences were noted between the years 2012-2013 (p=0.029), 2018-2019 (p<0.001), 2020-2021 (p=0.018), and 2021-2022 (p<0.001). The most frequently associated search terms included "emergency contraception pill," "eye drops," "sedatives," and "sleeping pills." The search intensity for "anti-inflammatory" (84-100) and "antibiotic" (47-77) demonstrated an upward trend starting in 2016. On a global scale, the United States exhibited the highest average RSV, with prevalent search terms including Viagra and antibiotics.
CONCLUSIONS: The Internet significantly contributes to the ongoing increase in the consumption of over-the-counter medications. Numerous frequently searched drugs are associated with various undesirable side effects, and their excessive use may impede the etiological treatment and early diagnosis of medical conditions.
METHODS: This retrospective study involved the collection of data of the keywords "over-the-counter" and "without prescription" from the Google Trends database, focusing on the relative search frequency (RSV - relative search volume, a ratio on a scale from 0 to 100) for the years 2012-2022, both in Hungary and globally. In addition to descriptive statistical analyses, we conducted paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests, as well as independent samples t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, employing JASP 0.16.4 software (p<0.05).
RESULTS: The annual average RSV for the keyword "over-the-counter" in Hungary exhibited an increase between 2012-2015 and 2019-2022, while stagnation was observed in the intervening years (2012: 55.3; 2013: 62.4; 2014: 71.5; 2015: 74.2; 2016: 65.1; 2017: 62.3; 2018: 65.7; 2019: 76.8; 2020: 70.6; 2021: 75.9; 2022: 84.6). Significant differences were noted between the years 2012-2013 (p=0.029), 2018-2019 (p<0.001), 2020-2021 (p=0.018), and 2021-2022 (p<0.001). The most frequently associated search terms included "emergency contraception pill," "eye drops," "sedatives," and "sleeping pills." The search intensity for "anti-inflammatory" (84-100) and "antibiotic" (47-77) demonstrated an upward trend starting in 2016. On a global scale, the United States exhibited the highest average RSV, with prevalent search terms including Viagra and antibiotics.
CONCLUSIONS: The Internet significantly contributes to the ongoing increase in the consumption of over-the-counter medications. Numerous frequently searched drugs are associated with various undesirable side effects, and their excessive use may impede the etiological treatment and early diagnosis of medical conditions.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2025-05, ISPOR 2025, Montréal, Quebec, CA
Value in Health, Volume 28, Issue S1
Code
PCR102
Topic
Patient-Centered Research
Topic Subcategory
Patient Behavior and Incentives
Disease
STA: Generics