부산대학교 도서관

AbstractThe British government is keen to enhance the opportunities for individuals to take greater responsibility for managing their common ailments. Reclassification of medicines from prescription to non-prescription status in recent years has provided a more diverse range of products with which people may self-medicate. The objective of this study was to identify the perceived benefits, concerns and implications of reclassification policy from the perspective of different groups of people. Twelve focus group discussions, each followed by a structured questionnaire, were held with established community groups which were selected to include people from a range of backgrounds. In none of the groups was strong support for reclassification expressed, although some participants were supportive of limited changes in regulations. Participants identified few circumstances in which the prescription-only status of a medicine restricted their wish to self- medicate, and they did not believe that changes would affect their frequency of consultation with their general practitioner. Participants in most groups believed that individuals (as well as health professionals) should be expected to take some responsibility for ensuring that drugs they purchased were safe and appropriate. All groups expressed concern over the cost implications and the potential inequities in access to care that could result from reclassification.