Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.3325/cmj.2025.66.247
Self-medication practices and the content of home pharmacies in the households of pharmacy and medical students in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2022 with a reference to the findings from 2001 and 1977
Vedrana Aljinović-Vučić
; Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Rijeka University School of Medicine, Rijeka, Croatia
Ana-Marija Vargantolić
; Health Care Center Zagreb-Zapad, Zagreb, Croatia
Davor Virag
; Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Marin Vučić
; Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Zdravko Lacković
; Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Vladimir Trkulja
; Department of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, Zagreb University School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
Aim To inventory the content of home pharmacies and
evaluate drug keeping and self-medication practices in the
households of medical and pharmacy students at Zagreb
University in 2022, and to relate the findings to two previ
ous surveys.
Methods A cross-sectional survey enrolled 178 students
who inventoried drug supplies in their family households,
and interviewed household members on drug keeping
and self-medication practices. Previous surveys included
287 (in 2001) and 225 (in 1977) students/households.
Results In most households, medicines were kept at a
designated place (around 65%, all surveys) but commonly
contained products past the expiry dates or of unknown
purpose (59% vs 27%-32% previously). Analgesics-anti
pyretics were kept in practically all households (93%-97%
across all surveys), followed by cough-cold relief prod
ucts (55% vs 30%-33% households) and anti-allergic drugs
(systemic) (44% vs 25% households). These drug classes
were commonly used for self-medication (all surveys). Of
the typical prescription drugs, the most common were
benzodiazepines (34% vs 24% previously), which were at
least occasionally used for self-medication in 40% of such
households. Systemic antibiotics were found in 17% of the
households (vs 40%-46% previously), and the tendency of
self-medication was less common (20% vs around 40% of
the households).
Conclusions The patterns observed in households with
expected above-average drug literacy and access (future
health care professionals, health care professionals com
mon among household members) in three surveys com
pleted across 50 years were discrepant with “responsible
self-medication” (drug handling, storage, usage). As such,
they emphasize a general need for improved awareness
about this topic.
Keywords
Hrčak ID:
352533
URI
Publication date:
31.8.2025.
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