Over-the-counter medicines
How do the Dutch use medicines they buy themselves from a drugstore, pharmacy or supermarket? Nivel research institute investigated this on behalf of the Medicines Authority MEB.
Medicine users search the package leaflet mainly for:
77% How to use the drug
76% What side effects to expect
65% How long you can use the medicine
48% Whether you can use it in combination with other medicines
Medicine users buy their self-care products the most
58% Drugstore
24% Alternating
9% Pharmacy
6% Supermarket
Most used self-care products (at least once a year)
95% Paracetamol
68% Other over-the-counter medicines for a cold, cough or sore throat
50% Nasal spray against blocked nose or allergy
48% Other painkillers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac
34% Self-care products for the skin
25% Gastric Acid Inhibitor
21% Herbal Medicines
How long do people use over-the-counter drugs?
Other pain relievers such as ibuprofen and diclofenac
83% 1 week or less
7% 1 to 2 weeks
10% More than 2 weeks
Other over-the-counter remedies for a cold, cough or sore throat
79% 1 week or less
16% 1 to 2 weeks
5% More than 2 weeks
Paracetamol
78% 1 week or less
9% 1 to 2 weeks
13% More than 2 weeks
Nasal spray against stuffy nose or allergy
68% 1 week or less
20% 1 to 2 weeks
12% More than 2 weeks
Gastric acid inhibitor
67% 1 week or less
6% 1 to 2 weeks
27% More than 2 weeks
Herbal medicines
53% 1 week or less
14% 1 to 2 weeks
33% More than 2 weeks
Over-the-counter skin care products
47% 1 week or less
18% 1 to 2 weeks
35% More than 2 weeks
How long can you use a self-care product?
59% I follow the advice of the package leaflet
42% I use it as long as I feel it is necessary
30% I follow my doctor’s advice in this regard
19% I follow the advice of the pharmacy
9% I follow the advice of the drugstore employee
5% Anders
Do you read the package leaflet before using a self-care product?
Only for use of self-care product that I have not used before 55%
I do that occasionally 26%
Each time for self-care product 12%
I never do that 7%
73% of people found the oral information from the pharmacist or chemist to be (very) reliable when purchasing an over-the-counter medicine
Everyone who uses a medicine must be able to rely on it.
This is what the MEB works on every day. Good medicines, well used.
Knowing more? Go to www.cbg-meb.nl
