Drug errors related to self-medication in Morocco

¹ Faculty of Medicine and Odonto-Stomatology, University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies, Bamako, Mali
² Moroccan Poison Control Center, Rabat, Morocco
³ PPR-B-Mokhtari-FS-UIT-Kenitra, Laboratory of Biology and Health, Faculty of Science, Ibn Tofail University, Kenitra, Morocco

Abstract

Introduction: Self-medication refers to the act of obtaining a drug without a prescription in order to use it for treatment. The objective of this study is to describe the epidemiological characteristics of drug errors related to self-medication in Morocco. Method: This is a retrospective study of drug errors related to self-medication, reported to the Moroccan Poison Control Center between 2014 and 2018. Results: During the study period, 99 medication errors were recorded, of which 31.6% concerned children under the age of 15 years. The average age of the patients was 26.6 years. The sex ratio was balanced, with 4 breastfeeding women. Almost all of cases (94.9%) occurred at home. Drugs acting on the nervous system accounted for 39.4% of notifications. This was a medicine error in 47.5% of cases. The patient himself was responsible for the error in 57.6% of cases. Drug administration was oral in 84.5% of cases. Of all error cases, 32.7% were symptomatic. Conclusion: The dangers of self-medication are multiple. Sometimes, self-medication can lead to severe complications. It therefore strongly recommended to follow the medical prescription and the pharmacist’s instructions as well as to educate the public about the risks associated with self-medication.