The assessment of awareness about the rational use of medicines among ukrainian pharmacy students

Aim. To study the awareness of graduate pharmacy students with the concept of the “rational use of medicines” and related issues. Materials and methods. A questionnaire survey of 172 graduate students was conducted at the National University of Pharmacy. Results and discussion. Most students believe that they are clearly familiar with the concept of the “rational use of medicines”; 97.1 % of them know it from the disciplines they studied at the University. It has been found that students have both correct and erroneous ideas about the mandatory principles of the rational use of medicines; they are most aware of its clinical aspects. Not all signs of the irrational use of medicines are obvious for future pharmacists. Students possess certain skills that can be useful in promoting the rational use of medicines. However, not all acquired skills are in demand in the professional activities of pharmacists in Ukraine. 75.6% of respondents think their knowledge gained at the University is sufficient to promote the rational use of medicines. Only 48.3 % of respondents believe that Ukrainian pharmacists are sufficiently involved in promoting the rational use of medicines. Conclusions. The study has revealed the lack of awareness of some pharmaceutical students about the concept and problem of the rational use of medicines, as well as the gap between the acquired skills and their demand in professional activities. Less than half of students rate the role of pharmacists in promoting the rational use of medicines at a sufficient level. Further research will be aimed at developing measures to improve the awareness of pharmacy students with the basic concepts of the rational use of medicines, as well as expanding the participation of Ukrainian pharmacists in promoting the rational use of medicines.