There is no regulation in Korea prohibiting sale of anti-tuberculous drugs, without prescription. The anti-tuberculous drags, therefore, are readily available at the pharmacies to anybody who wishes to purchase them. Thus, misuse of the anti-tuberculous drugs purchased from the pharmacies without prescription has been one of the major problems in the control of tuberculosis in Korea. Present study was conducted to identify the characteristics of the persons who use the anti-tuberculous drugs purchases from the pharmacies and to assess appropriateness of such use of the drugs. The subjects studied were persons residing in Kangwha-gun, Kyunggi-do, and using the anti-tuberculous drugs purchased from the pharmacies. The number of subjects studied was 37. The study was conducted from 21 August through 20 September 1981. Personal interview, standard postero-anterior chest X-ray and sputum culture for M. tuberculosis were performed. The X-ray films were interpreted by an experienced chest specialist. Major findings obtained from the study were as follows.
1) Out of 37 persons using the anti-tuberculous drugs, only 17(45.9%) used the drugs on the advice of physicians. Others were using the drugs either on their own decision or on the pharmacists’ recommendation. Furthermore, there were 3 persons who were using the drugs not knowing exact diagnosis of their disease.
2) The most commonly used anti-tuberculous drugs were INH and EMB. Thirty-three persons(89.2%) used INH and 21 persons(56.5%) used EMB.
3) Twenty-nine persons using the drugs had past history of pulmonary tuberculosis. Among them, 20 persons(69.0%) had been treated formerly at the health centers and 17(59.6%) had been diagnosed as pulmonary tuberculosis more than 2 years ago.
4) As to the questions regarding their confidence on the efficacy of drugs in use, 15 persons(51.7%) were doubtful of the efficacy of drugs among 29 drug users who had history of pulmonary Tuberculosis. Seventeen persons(58.6%) wished to deceive treatment again at the health centers.
5) In an evaluation of 33 eligible persons regarding appropriateness of the use of anti-tuberculous drugs, 18(54.5%) were found to knave been using without justifiable medical grounds.
|