Evaluation of the Effect of Consensus-based Protocols for the Treatment of Minor Ailments
Trial Parameters
Brief Summary
Minor ailments are common, self-limited conditions unrelated to the patient's underlying health problems or adverse effects of their current medications. Minor ailment services are pharmacist-led interventions that provide patients with the most appropriate recommendation when unsure about the medication for a specific minor ailment. It involves advice on nonprescription drugs, non-pharmacological measures, or referral to another health care practitioner. In Colombia, evaluating and implementing this service could optimize nonprescription drugs use and improve minor ailment management in primary health care settings.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Drugstores and drugstores/pharmacies: * Establishments located in Medellin and Metropolitan area * Establishments that have a Pharmacy Technician serving as the technical director. * Establishments with electronic point-of-sale system for data collection. * Commitment to participate for the full 10-month study period. Participants (patients): * Explicit consent to participate in the study. * Are the direct consumers requesting the nonprescription drug (i.e., not requesting them on behalf of someone else). * Present one of the five predefined potential MA that will be included in the study: influenza-like syndrome and catarrh, headache, common cold, sore throat, and menstrual pain or cramps. * Have access to mobile phone for follow-upThe person requesting the OTC medication must be the end consumer of it. Exclusion Criteria: * Subjects who refuse to sign the informed consent * Subjects with an evident incapacity to complete the data questionnaire * Pregnant or breast