Community Education on the Appropriate and Safe Use of Over-the-Counter and Pharmacy-Only Medicines

Dian Ayu Juwita; Fitri Rachmaini; Rahmah Rahmah; Najah Sabarita

doi:10.25077/jwa.32.3.264-271.2025

Authors

Dian Ayu Juwita Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
Fitri Rachmaini Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
Rahmah Rahmah Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia
Najah Sabarita Department of Pharmacology and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Andalas, Padang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25077/jwa.32.3.264-271.2025

Keywords:

comunity education, over-the-counter medicines, pharmacy-only medicines, rational drug use

Abstract

The use of over-the-counter (OTC) and pharmacy-only medicines has significantly increased due to their easy accessibility and the growing trend of self-medication. However, improper use of these medicines can lead to adverse effects, drug interactions, and even resistance. This community service activity aimed to raise public awareness about the rational and safe use of medicines, particularly OTC and pharmacy-only medicines. The activity was conducted using participatory education methods, including the delivery of material on drug classifications, simulation of reading drug labels and understanding usage instructions, as well as interactive sessions such as Q&A and consultations with pharmacists. The evaluation was carried out using pre-test and post-test assessments to measure participants’ knowledge before and after the educational session. The results showed a significant improvement in participants’ knowledge regarding the identification of drug types, label reading, and proper usage instructions. Additionally, participants demonstrated increased awareness of the risks associated with improper medication use and the importance of consulting pharmacists before taking OTC or pharmacy-only medicines. This activity highlights the essential role of pharmacists in public health education and emphasizes the need for structured, interactive educational strategies to promote responsible self-medication practices. Collaboration between healthcare professionals and the community is key to ensuring the safe and appropriate use of non-prescription medicines

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Antari. Dkk. (2016). Tingkat Pengetahuan Tentang Penanganan Obat Dalam Swamedikasi dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap Kebiasaan Menggunakan Obat Pada Responden Di Apotek Gunung Sari. Jurnal Medicamento, 2(1).

Departemen Kesehatan. (2008). Materi Pelatihan Pengetahuan dan Keterampilan Memilih Obat Bagi Tenaga Kesehatan. Departmen Kesehatan RI: Jakarta

Direktorat Jenderal Kefarmasian Dan Alat Kesehatan. (2007). Pedoman Penggunaan Obat Bebas dan Bebas terbatas. Departemen Kesehatan RI, Jakarta

Efayanti, E., Susilowati, T., & Imamah, I. N. (2019). Hubungan Motivasi dengan Perilaku Swamedikasi. Jurnal Penelitian Perawat Profesional, 1(1), 21–32.

Harahap NA, Khairunnisa, Tanuwijaya J. (2017) Tingkat Pengetahuan Pasien dan Rasionalitas Swamedikasi di Tiga Apotek Kota Panyabungan. Jurnal Sains Farmasi & Klinis, 3(2):186–92

Junaedi C, Mawardi U, Indratmoko DD. (2022). Edukasi Golongan Obat Bebas dan Obat Bebas Terbatas Pada Siswa Kelas 12 Di Pandeglang Banten. Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat Nusantara (Pengabmas Nusantara), 4(3):153-159

Kresnamurti A, Farida N, Jayanto I. (2022). Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan terhadap Perilaku Swamedikasi Gastritis pada Mahasiswa Prodi Farmasi Universitas Hang Tuah di Surabaya. Jurnal Farmasi Komunitas, 9(2):200–3

Notoatmodjo S. Promosi Kesehatan dan Perilaku Kesehatan. Jakarta: Rineka Cipta; 2014

Rahayuda IGS. (2016) Identifikasi Jenis Obat Berdasarkan Gambar Logo Pada Kemasan Menggunakan Metode Naive Bayes. Jurnal Sisfo, 6(1):17–36

Rokhman, M. R., Widiastuti, M., Satibi, Fatmawati, R. F., Munawaroh, N., Pramesti, Y. A. (2017). Penyerahan Obat Keras Tanpa Resep di Apotek. Jurnal Manajemen dan Pelayanan Farmasi. 7(3): 115 – 116

Savira M, Ramadhani FA, Nadhirah U, Lailis SR, Ramadhan EG. (2020) Praktik Penyimpanan dan Pembuangan Obat Dalam Keluarga. Jurnal Farmasi Komunitas, 7(2):38–47

Sholiha, S., Fadholah, A., Artanti, L. O. (2019). Tingkat Pengetahuan Pasien dan Rasionalitas Swamedikasi di Apotek Kecamatan Colomadu. Pharmaceutical Journal of Islamic Pharmacy

Srikartika, V. M., Intannia, D. (2019). Evaluasi Model Intervensi Apoteker Terhadap Peningkatan Pengetahuan Penggunaan Obat Pada Ibu Rumah Tangga Di Bantaran Sungai Kemuning Banjarbaru. Jurnal Pharmascience. 6(1): 31

Tjay, T.H. dan Rahardja, K. (2002). Obat-obat Penting: Khasiat, Penggunaan, dan Efek-efek Sampingnya, 619, PT. Elex Media Komputindo, Jakarta

Umaroh ILA, Hidayati IR, Titani M. (2022). Factors Affecting the Level of Community Knowledge on the Use of Antacid Medication. KnE Medicine.