OBJECTIVES: Women specific factors (e.g. pregnancy, menstrual pain) had generated great interest in the scope of over-the-counter (OTC) medicine use among this group of population. This study aimed to elicit the risk perception among women in Klang Valley area regarding over-the-counter medicines and associated patient information leaflet (PIL) reading habits and off-label use.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted among 344 women aged 18 years and above from 50 community pharmacies located in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Consecutive women visiting community pharmacy to purchase at least one medicine, were approached to participate. A validated, interviewer-administered tool was used to gather relevant data. The data were analysed using SPSS version 24, with 0.05 as level of significance.

RESULTS: OTC medicines were used mostly in the “last 7 days” (n= 106, 30.8%) and 34.9% (n=120) of the respondents claimed to be “occasional user”. The statistically insignificant negative correlation was observed between the number of OTC medicines used by respondents and risk perception towards OTC medicines (rs= -0.101, p = 0.061). The mean perceived safety score of OTC medicines was 6.5 (SD 1.422) with 75% of them gave a scale on the safe range. Indication (n=161, 46.8%) and dose (n=158, 45.9%) were mostly reported to always read by respondents with reasons to ensure appropriateness and safety. In contrast, contraindication (n=199, 57.8%) and side effect (n=177, 51.5%) were mostly never read with the reason of seeking professional advice. The prevalence of off-label use was 19.8%.

CONCLUSIONS: This study has shown a low 7-day prevalence of OTC medicines usage in the women population associated with a safe attitude towards the risk concerning over-the-counter medicines. Although no strong correlation observed between PILs reading habits with risk perception and off-label use, the present study can serve a good framework for further extension on related studies.