ORGANIZATION OF PHARMACEUTICAL AID IN SOLVING THE PROBLEM OF EXCESS WEIGHT IN THE POPULATION

Abstract

The article presents the system of organization of pharmaceutical aid to the population with excess body weight. The results of sociological surveys of the groups of applicants to the Health Center are shown, determining the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents, problems caused by excess body weight and motivation to its normalization, criteria of selection of drugs and other means to reduce the weight and the willingness of the population to acquire these means. Respondents were stratified according to body mass index, the first stratum - underweight (BMI 18.5), second stratum - normal (BMI of 18.5 -24.5), the third stratum having a need for correction of body weight (BMI 24.5 cm). The market of drugs and other means to reduce weight was analyzed. Physicians’ and pharmacists’ awareness of medicinal drugs and over-the-counter drugs used to reduce weight was studied by peer review method. Survey-based pharmaceutical workers identified Factors influencing the formation of demand for drugs and other means to reduce the weight (trademark, price, advertising, dosage form and convenience of self-administration, medical representative’s performance, personal experience). For each stratum of consumers a differentiated approach to the provision of pharmaceutical care was proposed including the provision of necessary medicines and other means, information and advisory assistance in the selection of the optimum tools for weight loss, a balanced diet and amount of physical activity.