Knowledge and Awareness Towards Self-Medication Practice and its Stock During the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic among the Indian Public: A Web- Based Cross-Sectional Survey

Generally, most of the Indian households keep stock of some standard Over the Counter medicines that help to cure minor and seasonal ailments including headache, running nose, acidity, gastrointestinal problems During COVID-19 times the use of such medicines has increased, which has helped to reduce the load on doctors and decongest hospitals This web-based survey helps to understand the types of medications in stock and the self-medication practices during COVID 19 A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted during June 2020 A 9-item self-administered questionnaire was developed, validated, and distributed using Google Forms through social media networks The results were obtained online, and they were statistically analyzed A total of 1704 individuals participate in the survey from various age groups from ranging from 18 years to 55 years Out of which 50 4% were male participant and 49 6 % were female participants In the survey, it is observed that antacid and analgesic were mostly available in stock About 45 3% of participants took self-medication for quick relief while 85% agreed that their pharmacist explains the medication during purchasing However, the survey also revealed that 91% of pharmacists asking for the symptoms while purchasing OTC medications In the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian pharmacists are playing an important role by helping and counseling the patients at the pharmacy itself in case of minor ailments to avoid reaching the doctors in these difficult times Also spreading knowledge about OTC and self-medication along with its adverse effects to the people