Use of chinese and western over-the-counter medications in Hong Kong 英文参考文献.docVIP

ChiHoChungetal.ChineseMedicine2010,5:41 /content/5/1/41 COMMENTARY OpenAccess Useofchineseandwesternover-the-counter medicationsinHongKong VincentChiHoChung1*,ChunHongLau1,FrankWanKinChan1,JoyceHoiSzeYou2,ElizaLaiYiWong1, EngKiongYeoh1,SianMerylGriffiths1 Abstract Benefitsofengagingcommunitypharmacistsinprovidingwiderprimarycareareinternationallyacknowledged;in HongKong,however,strategiesforharnessingtheirpotentialcontributionsareyettobelaunched.Here,commu- nitypharmacistandChinesemedicineretailersareresponsibleforprovidingwesternandChineseover-the-counter (OTC)medications.PatternsofOTCusesreflectthecharacteristicsofpopulationswhorelyoncommunitypharma- cistsandChinesemedicineretailersastheirmainpointofcontactwiththehealthcaresystem.Analyzingthedata fromaHongKongsurvey(n=33,263)onselfmedicationandmedicalconsultationpatterns,wepropose,inthis article,anextendedroleforcommunitypharmacistsandChinesemedicineretailers,whichentailsaspectsasfol- lows:(1)referringpatientstoothermedicalserviceswhereappropriate;(2)providinghealtheducationandpreven- tativeservices;(3)safeguardingtheuseofChineseherbalmedicines. Background been recognized [11] and have become less dependent In HongKong, community pharmacists work indepen- onChinesemedicineretailers. dently from medical doctors who often prescribe and This article describes the behavioral patterns of both dispense medicationsinaclinical setting. Ontheother Chinese and western medical consultations and OTC hand,patientsoftenseekfirstlinetreatmentfromcom- useinarepresentativesampleoftheHongKongpopu- munity pharmacists [1]. Community pharmacists have lation. This information will provide timely input for longbeenanunderutilizedpartofthehumanresources planning pharmacists’ and Chinese medicine retailers’ inprimarycare[2,3]asaresultoftheinterplaybetween futureroleswithintheHongKongprimarycaresystem demand, supply and organization factors [4]. In Hong [12]. Kong,theuseofover-the-coun