Abstract
BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to test the assumption that liberalizing community pharmacy ownership in Iceland would lead to increased irrational use of over-the-counter pain relievers containing codeine.
METHODS: Based on this assumption we built and tested a model using an interrupted time series design that contrasts the monthly sales data for over-the-counter pain relievers containing codeine before and after the legislation took effect.
RESULTS: The total use of over-the-counter pain relievers containing codeine as well as those containing paracetamol and codeine has risen steadily throughout the period under study. The interrupted time series did not show a substantial effect from the legislative change on the use of all over-the-counter codeine pain relievers, paracetemol with codeine, and aspirin with codeine combinations.
CONCLUSION: The assumption that increased access leads to irrational use of over-the-counter medicines is not substantiated in the case of over-the-counter pain relievers containing codeine.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Tidsskrift | Scandinavian Journal of Public Health |
| Vol/bind | 28 |
| Udgave nummer | 4 |
| Sider (fra-til) | 270-4 |
| Antal sider | 5 |
| ISSN | 1403-4948 |
| Status | Udgivet - dec. 2000 |