A ONE-DAY LONG SURVEY OF ANTALGICS AND AN TIPYRETICS CONSUMPTION IN PHARMACIES

A one day long survey of antalgics and antipyretics consumption was ca rried out in 6 pharmacies of a middle-size city. It first shows the ma jority of medical prescription (62.2 %) over self medication (29.4 %) and over pharmaceutic advice (8.4 %) at the drug delivery. Women are t he main consumers, especially in the youngest ones (20-40 years old). Paracetamol is the most used drug; in this indication, the search for the less expensive drug seems usual. Drug abuse cannot be demonstrated in this survey ; the consumption of this category of drugs appears as important although for a short duration ; and most of the time for pa in considered as moderate and trivial. The possibility to carry out su ch surveys and possibly clinical trials in private pharmacies appears as an opportunity.