Over-the-counter codeine use in Iceland: The impact of increased access
Publikation: Bidrag til tidsskrift › Tidsskriftartikel › Forskning › fagfællebedømt
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 |
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Bogserie | Scandinavian Journal of Public Health |
Vol/bind | 28 |
Udgave nummer | 4 |
Sider (fra-til) | 270-274 |
Antal sider | 5 |
ISSN | 1403-4948 |
DOI | |
Status | Udgivet - 1 jan. 2000 |
ID: 187556136