TITLE:
Evaluation of Appropriateness of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) Use in the Region of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
AUTHORS:
Osama H. Mohamed Ibrahim, Mohamed E. A. Rashrash, Rand Albasha, Reem Alani, Sama Khadhum, Sameh Soliman
KEYWORDS:
Proton Pump Inhibitors, Deprescribing, Appropriate Use, United Arab Emirates (UAE)
JOURNAL NAME:
Pharmacology & Pharmacy,
Vol.9 No.6,
June
7,
2018
ABSTRACT: Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs that reduce
the production of acid in the stomach. Recently, the use of PPI has been increasing
among communities, whether with or without prescription. As a part of the
healthcare team, the pharmacist should not only dispense medications but also
ensure the appropriate use of these medications. Studies conducted within 16
countries showed substantial variation in the appropriateness of the use of PPI
drugs. Aim: To evaluate the appropriateness of PPIs use in
Sharjah, UAE based on surveys answered by pharmacists, physicians, and
patients. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted on December 2017 at Sharjah,
UAE as an example of information obtained from the Middle East. Two different
surveys were conducted on physicians and pharmacists. Both Physicians and
Pharmacists were chosen randomly from Yellow Pages. The results obtained from
both studies were used to develop a patient’s survey, which was distributed
among University of Sharjah students, their
families and random people at Shopping Malls and Clinics. Results: The results obtained from the patients’ survey
showed that ~39% of PPI users from the region of Sharjah are 25 - 44 years old.
Approximately 79% are using PPI according to physicians’ prescriptions.
Prescriptions’ duration is varied between 1 month (39%) and 6 months (22%),
where 52% of PPI users ask their physicians to prescribe PPIs when needed.
Suggested reasons for the use of PPI included inappropriate food habits (52%),
use of other medications (16%) or bacterial infection (13%). Around 52% of the
patients did not receive any recommendations regarding the deprescribing of
PPIs. According to the pharmacists’ surveys, an average sale of 5 - 10 PPI
packages is reported per day, and around 50% are sold without a prescription.
Most pharmacists were not fully aware of the health conditions and side effects
of PPI drugs. On the other hand, physicians’ surveys showed that PPIs were
mainly prescribed in the case of GERD and ulcer and for a maximum of 2 - 4
weeks. Approximately 75% of physicians recommend changing regimen by reducing
the dose and stopping in case of chronic use of PPIs. Conclusion: The results from this survey study indicated that
even though most PPI consumers at Sharjah, UAE are well aware of the use of PPI
drugs and they follow the instructions given by the Physicians’, there is some
discrepancy in the information obtained by the physicians, pharmacists, and
patients. The reason for this discrepancy may be attributed to the missing role
of the pharmacists which is currently just dispensing the medications without
appropriate counseling. Thus the appropriate role of the pharmacists should be
implemented according to the known international guidelines.