Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Use of Medications in Arab Countries

  • Reference work entry
  • First Online:
Handbook of Healthcare in the Arab World

  • 57 Accesses

Abstract

Use of medications in Arab countries is complex; although it follows strict laws and regulations, there seems to be many forces that push and pull implementation of these in several directions. Pharmacy practice in the Arab countries is predominantly similar, with a few country-specific factors that are affected by regulation, policy, and education in that country. Medications are mostly imported, but local manufacturing (mostly generic substitutes to imported brand name medications) still occurs and is encouraged by governments in the region. Medications are usually sold in pharmacies that are hospital or community-based, mostly by a licensed pharmacist and often by other personnel such as pharmacy assistants and technicians. Medications classified as prescription medications are conveniently available to consumers without prescription as long as they are able to pay. This creates a situation where medication adverse drug reactions monitoring and follow-up to outcomes of medication therapy are suboptimal. Medication misuse, intentional or unintentional, is on the rise in Arab countries. This chapter covers briefly overall medication and pharmacy regulation in Arab countries, the extent of medication performance monitoring, adherence to medications, and factors that affect patients’ adherence to their therapy including issues related to medication literacy. Key areas of medication use and misuse, including self-medicating practices, are covered in detail in this chapter. Major healthcare areas of concern affecting general public health in Arab countries that are managed with pharmaceuticals including contraception, immunization, smoking cessation, and weight management are also discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 1,599.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 1,799.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Abahussain EA, Ball DE (2007) Disposal of unwanted medicines from households in Kuwait. Pharm World Sci 29:368–373

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Abahussain E, Waheedi M, Koshy S (2012) Practice, awareness and opinion of pharmacists toward disposal of unwanted medications in Kuwait. Saudi Pharm J 20(3):195–201

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Abanmy NO, Al-quait N, Alami AH, Al-Juhani M, Al-Aqeel S (2012) The utilization of Arabic online drug information among adults in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 20(4):317–321

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Abasaeed A, Vlcek J, Abuelkhair M, Kubena A (2009) Self-medication with antibiotics by the community of Abu Dhabi emirate, United Arab Emirates. J Infect Dev Ctries 3(7):491–497

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Abdo-Rabbo A, Al-Ansari M, Gunn BC, Suleiman BJ (2009) The use of medicines in Oman: public knowledge, attitudes and practices. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J 9(2):124–131

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Abou-Auda HS (2003) An economic assessment of the extent of medication use and wastage among families in Saudi Arabia and Arabian Gulf countries. Clin Ther 25(4):1276–1292

    Google Scholar 

  • Abramowitz L, Weyandt GH, Havlickova B, Matsuda Y, Didelot JM, Rothhaar A, Sobrado C, Szabadi A, Vitalyos T, Wiesel P (2010) The diagnosis and management of haemorrhoidal disease from a global perspective. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 31(1):1–58

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad SR (2014) Pharmacovigilance bolstered in the Arab world. Lancet 384(9960):e63

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ajlouni K, Khader YS, Batieha A, Ajlouni H, El-Khateeb M (2008) An increase in prevalence of diabetes mellitus in Jordan over 10 years. J Diabetes Complicat 22(5):317–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al Khaja KA, Al-Ansari TM, Sequeira RP (2005) An evaluation of prescribing errors in primary care in Bahrain. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 43:294–301

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al Khaja KA, Al Ansari TM, Damanhori AH, Sequeira RP (2007) Evaluation of drug utilization and prescribing errors in infants: a primary care prescription-based study. Health Policy 81(2–3):350–357

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Abdallat IM, Al Ali R, Hudaib AA, Salameh GA, Salameh RJ, Idhair AK (2016) The prevalence of alcohol and psychotropic drugs in fatalities of road-traffic accidents in Jordan during 2008–2014. J Forensic Legal Med 39:130–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Alagha HZ, Badary OA, Ibrahim HM, Sabri NA (2011) Reducing prescribing errors in the paediatric intensive care unit: an experience from Egypt. Acta Paediatr 100(10):e169–e174

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alaqeel S, Abanmy NO (2015) Counselling practices in community pharmacies in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. BMC Health Serv Res 15(1):557

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Alblooshi H, Hulse GK, El Kashef A, Al Hashmi H, Shawky M, Al Ghaferi H, Al Safar H, Tay GK (2016) The pattern of substance use disorder in the United Arab Emirates in 2015: results of a National Rehabilitation Centre cohort study. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy 11(1):19

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Dhalimi MA, Aljawahiry N (2006) Misuse of topical corticosteroids: a clinical study in an Iraqi hospital. East Mediterr Health J 12(6):847–852

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alefan Q, Halboup A (2016) Pharmacy practice in Jordan. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries: achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 211–232

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Alfadl A, Ali G, Yousif MA, Babekir M (2016) Pharmacy practice in Sudan. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries. Achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 319–341

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Faris EA, Al-Rowais N, Mohamed AG, Al-Rukban MO, Al-Kurdi A, Balla Al-Noor MA, Al-Harby S, Sheikh A (2008) Prevalence and pattern of alternative medicine use: the results of a household survey. Ann Saudi Med 28(1):4–10

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Alghadeer S, Aljuaydi K, Babelghaith B, Alhammad A, Alarifi MN (2018) Self-medication with antibiotics in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 26(5):719–724

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ghamdi MS (2001) Empirical treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection by community pharmacist in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 22(12):1105–1108

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alhalaiqa F, Deane KH, Gray R (2013) Hypertensive patients’ experience with adherence therapy for enhancing medication compliance: a qualitative exploration. J Clin Nurs 22(13–14):2039–2052

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hazzaa H, Musaiger AO, ATLS RG (2011) Arab teens lifestyle study (ATLS): objectives, design, methodology and implications. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 4:417–426

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Hussaini M, Mustafa S, Ali S (2014) Self-medication among undergraduate medical students in Kuwait with reference to the role of the pharmacist. J Res Pharm Pract 3(1):23–27

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ali HI, Baynouna LM, Bernsen RM (2010) Barriers and facilitators of weight management: perspectives of Arab women at risk for type 2 diabetes. Health Soc Care Community 18(2):219–228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ali-Shtayeh MS, Jamous RM, Jamous RM (2012) Complementary and alternative medicine use amongst Palestinian diabetic patients. Complement Ther Clin Pract 18(1):16–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Aljadhey H, Assiri GA, Mahmoud MA, Al-Aqeel S, Murray M (2015) Self-medication in central Saudi Arabia. Community pharmacy consumers’ perspectives. Saudi Med J 36(3):328–334

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Jahdali HH, Al-Zahrani AI, Al-Otaibi ST, Hassan IS, Al-Moamary MS, Al-Duhaim AS, Al-Shimemeri AA, Al-Dawood AS (2007) Perception of the role of inhaled corticosteroids and factors affecting compliance among asthmatic adult patients. Saudi Med J 28(4):569–573

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Almalki M, FitzGerald G, Clark M (2011) Health care system in Saudi Arabia: an overview. EMHJ 17(10):784–793

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • AlMarri TS, Oei TP (2009) Alcohol and substance use in the Arabian Gulf region: a review. Int J Psychol 44(3):222–233

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Almeman A, Al-jedai A (2016) Pharmacy practice in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries, achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 171–197

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Mohamadi A, Badr A, Bin Mahfouz L, Samargandi D, Al Ahdal A (2013) Dispensing medications without prescription at Saudi community pharmacy: extent and perception. Saudi Pharm J 21(1):13–18

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Qasem A, Smith F, Clifford S (2011) Adherence to medication among chronic patients in Middle Eastern countries: review of studies. East Mediterr Health J 17(4):356–363

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Ramahi R (2013) Patterns and attitudes of self-medication practices and possible role of community pharmacists in Palestine. Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 51(7):562–567

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Saffar N, Deshmukh AA, Carter P, Adib SM (2005) Effect of information leaflets and counselling on antidepressant adherence: open randomised controlled trial in a psychiatric hospital in Kuwait. Int J Pharm Pract 13(2):123–131

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Shareef F, El-Asrar SA, Al-Bakr L, Al-Amro M, Alqahtani F, Aleanizy F, Al-Rashood S (2016) Investigating the disposal of expired and unused medication in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study. Int J Clin Pharm 38(4):822–828

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alsulami Z, Conroy S, Choonara I (2013) Medication errors in the Middle East countries: a systematic review of the literature. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 69(4):995–1008

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Wazaify M, Albsoul-Younes A (2005) Pharmacy in Jordan. Am J Health Syst Pharm 62(23):2548–2551

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Worafi Y (2014a) Comment on: pharmacovigilance in the Middle East. Drug Saf 37(8):651–652

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Worafi Y (2014b) Pharmacy practice and its challenges in Yemen. Australas Med J 7(1):17–23

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Worafi YMA (2016) Pharmacy practice in Yemen. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries: achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 267–287

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Alzoubi K, Al-Azzam S, Alhusban A, Mukattash T, Al-Zubaidy S, Alomari N, Khader Y (2013) An audit on the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes about the uses and side-effects of antibiotics among outpatients attending 2 teaching hospitals in Jordan. East Mediterr Health J 19(5):478–484

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Awad MA, El Kouatly M, Fakhry R (2010) Smoking counseling practices of physicians in the United Arab Emirates. Glob Health Promot 17(4):5–14

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Badran M, Laher I (2011) Obesity in Arabic-speaking countries. J Obes 2011:686430

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ball DE, Tisocki K, Al-Saffar N (2005) Medicine prices in the State of Kuwait. Report of a survey on medicine prices in Kuwait. http://haiweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Kuwait-Report-Pricing-Surveys.pdf

  • Barakat-Haddad C, Siddiqua A (2015) Primary health care use and health care accessibility among adolescents in the United Arab Emirates. East Mediterr Health J 21(3):171–184

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Basheti IA, Al-Qudah R, Obeidat NM, Bulatova NR (2016) Home medication management review in outpatients with chronic diseases in Jordan: a randomized control trial. Int J Clin Pharm 38(2):404–413

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bham B (2015) The first Eastern Mediterranean region/Arab countries meeting of pharmacovigilance. Drugs Real World Outcomes 2(1):111–115

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Bin Abdulhak AA, Altannir MA, Almansor MA, Almohaya MS, Onazi AS, Marei MA, Aldossary OF, Obeidat SA, Obeidat MA, Riaz MS, Tleyjeh IM (2011) Non prescribed sale of antibiotics in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A cross sectional study. BMC Public Health 7(11):538

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheaito L, Azizi S, Saleh N, Salameh P (2014) Assessment of self-medication in population buying antibiotics in pharmacies: a pilot study from Beirut and its suburbs. Int J Public Health 59(2):319–327

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connor JP, Gullo MJ, White A, Kelly AB (2014) Polysubstance use: diagnostic challenges, patterns of use and health. Curr Opin Psychiatry 27(4):269–275

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Darwish DA, Abdelmalek S, Abu Dayyih W, Hamadi S (2014) Awareness of antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance in the Iraqi community in Jordan. J Infect Dev Ctries 8(5):616–623

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Health Regulation Department (2013). Dubai Community Pharmacy Licensure & Pharmaceutical Practices Guide. https://www.dha.gov.ae/Documents/Regulations/Dubai%20Community%20Pharmacy%20Licensure%20and%20Pharmaceutical%20Practices%20Guide.pdf

  • El Hajj MS, Kheir N, Al Mulla AM, Shami R, Fanous N, Mahfoud ZR (2017) Effectiveness of a pharmacist-delivered smoking cessation program in The State of Qatar: a randomized controlled trial. BMC Public Health 17(1):215

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Elgharabway R, Ahmed A, Alsuhaibani R (2015) Awareness, prevalence, and determinants of birth control methods use among women in Saudi Arabia. Int Arch Med 8(245). https://doi.org/10.3823/1844

  • El-Nimr NA, Wahdan IM, Wahdan AM, Kotb RE (2015) Self-medication with drugs and complementary and alternative medicines in Alexandria, Egypt: prevalence, patterns and determinants. East Mediterr Health J 21(4):256–265

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elsayed T, Elsisi G, Elmahdawy M (2016) Pharmacy practice in Egypt. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries. Achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 291–317

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Emam H, AboElAtta M, Labib S, Mehrez M, Fouad H, Abou El Naga R (2009) Global adult tobacco survey – Egypt country report. http://www.who.int/tobacco/surveillance/gats_rep_egypt.pdf

  • Emmerton LM, Mampallil L, Kairuz T, McKauge LM, Bush RA (2012) Exploring health literacy competencies in community pharmacy. Health Expect 15(1):12–22

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Endrikat JS, Milchev NP, Kapamadzija A, Georgievska J, Gerlinger C, Schmidt W, Feroze S (2009) Bleeding pattern, tolerance and patient satisfaction with a drospirenone containing oral contraceptive evaluated in 3488 women in Europe, the Middle East and Canada. Contraception 79(6):428–432

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Falkenberg T, Lewith G, Roberti di Sarsina P, von Ammon K, Santos-Rey K, Hok J, Frei-Erb M, Vas J, Saller R, Uehleke B (2012) Towards a pan-European definition of complementary and alternative medicine – a realistic ambition? Forsch Komplementmed 19(2):6–8

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fathelrahman AI, Ibrahim MIM, Wertheimer AI (2016) Pharmacy practice in developing countries: achievements and challenges, 1st edn. Academic, Boston

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiore MC, JaĂ©n CR, Baker TB (2008) Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update – clinical practice guidelines. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville

    Google Scholar 

  • Foster AM, Wynn L, Rouhana A, Polis C, Trussell J (2005) Reproductive health, the Arab world and the internet: usage patterns of an Arabic-language emergency contraception web site. Contraception 72(2):130–137

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • GATS (2013) Global adult tobacco survey – Qatar country report. https://www.moph.gov.qa/ar/publications/Documents/4Link/GATS%20full%20report.pdf

  • Ghaieth MF, Elhag SR, Hussien ME, Konozy EH (2015) Antibiotics self-medication among medical and nonmedical students at two prominent universities in Benghazi City, Libya. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 7(2):109–115

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Global Tobacco Surveillance System (GTSS): Purpose, Production, and Potential. Global Tobacco Surveillance System Collaborating Group (2005) J School Health 75(1):15–24

    Google Scholar 

  • Greengold NL, Shane R, Schneider P, Flynn E, Elashoff J, Hoying CL, Barker K, Bolton LB (2003) The impact of dedicated medication nurses on the medication administration error rate: a randomized controlled trial. Arch Intern Med 163(19):2359–2367

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Grindlay K, Burns B, Grossman D (2013) Prescription requirements and over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives: a global review. Contraception 88(1):91–96

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Guthold R, Cowan MJ, Autenrieth CS, Kann L, Riley LM (2010) Physical activity and sedentary behavior among schoolchildren: A 34-country comparison. J Pediatr 157(1):43–49

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Haddad LG, Al-Bashaireh AM, Ferrell AV, Ghadban R (2017) Effectiveness of a culturally-tailored smoking cessation intervention for Arab-American men. Int J Environ Res Public Health 14:411

    Article  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan S, Sulieman H, Chapman C, Stewart K, Kong DCM (2011) Community pharmacy in the United Arab Emirates: characteristics and workforce issues. Int J Pharm Pract 19(6):392–399

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan S, Sulieman H, Chapman CB, Stewart K, Kong DC (2012) Community pharmacy services in the United Arab Emirates. Int J Pharm Pract 20(4):218–225

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hasan S, Farghadani G, AlHaideri SK, Fathy MA (2016) Pharmacist opportunities to improve public self-medicating practices in the UAE. Pharmacol Pharm 7(11):459–447

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Howse K (2014) Contraceptive methods used by younger women: Arab world. https://www.ageing.ox.ac.uk/download/148

  • Hwang JH, Kim YR, Ahmed M, Choi S, Al-Hammadi NQ, Widad NM, Han D (2016) Use of complementary and alternative medicine in pregnancy: a cross-sectional survey on Iraqi women. BMC Complement Altern Med 16:191

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ibrahim I, Wayyes AR (2016) Pharmacy practice in Iraq. In: Pharmacy Practice in Developing Countries. Achievements and Challenges. Academic, London, pp 199–210

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ickes MJ, Cottrell R (2010) Health literacy in college students. J Am Coll Heal 58(5):491–498

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaghbir M, Shareif S, Ahram M (2014) Quitting smoking and utilization of smoking cessation services in Jordan: a population-based survey. East Mediterr Health J 20(9):538–546

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jeragh-Alhaddad FB, Waheedi M, Barber ND, Brock TP (2015) Barriers to medication taking among Kuwaiti patients with type 2 diabetes: a qualitative study. Patient Prefer Adherence 9:1491–1503

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Jose J, Jimmy B, Alsabahi AG, Al Sabei GA (2013) A study assessing public knowledge, belief and behavior of antibiotic use in an Omani population. Oman Med J 28(5):324–330

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kandil O (2004) The pharmaceutical industry in the Arab world: challenges, controversies, and future outlook. Drug Discov Today 9(13):543–545

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Karam R (2005) Survey report: prices of medicines in Lebanon. http://www.haiweb.org/medicineprices/surveys/200403LB/survey_report.pdf

  • Kashour TS, Joury A, Alotaibi AM, Althagafi M, Almufleh AS, Hersi A, Thalib L (2016) Quality of assessment and counselling offered by community pharmacists and medication sale without prescription to patients presenting with acute cardiac symptoms: a simulated client study. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 72(3):321–328

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khalaf AJ, Whitford DL (2010) The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study. BMC Complement Altern Med 14(10):35

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalifeh MM, Moore ND, Salameh PR (2017) Self-medication misuse in the Middle East: a systematic literature review. Pharmacol Res Perspect 5(4)

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan T, Emeka P, Suleiman A, Alnutafy F, Aljadhey H (2015) Pharmaceutical pricing policies and procedures in Saudi Arabia: a narrative review. Ther Innov Regul Sci 50(2):236–240

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kheir N (2016) Pharmacy practice in Qatar. In: Pharmacy practice in developing countries. Achievements and challenges. Academic, London, pp 233–252

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kheir N, Zaidan M, Younes H, El Hajj M, Wilbur K, Jewesson PJ (2008) Pharmacy education and practice in 13 Middle Eastern countries. Am J Pharm Educ 72(6):133

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kheir N, El Hajj MS, Wilbur K, Kaissi RML, Yousif A (2011) An exploratory study on medications in Qatar homes. Drug Healthc Patient Saf 2011(3):99–106

    Google Scholar 

  • Khoja TA, Bawazir SA (2005) Group purchasing of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies by the Gulf Cooperation Council states. East Mediterr Health J 11(1–2):217–225

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Khoja T, Neyaz Y, Qureshi NA, Magzoub MA, Haycox A, Walley T (2011) Medication errors in primary care in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. East Mediterr Health J 17(2):156–159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kossah R, Nsabimana C, Zhang H, Chen W (2010) Optimization of extraction of polyphenols from Syrian sumac (Rhus Coriaria L.) and Chinese Sumac (Rhus Typhina L.) fruits. Res J Phytochemistry 4(3):146–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lesar TS, Briceland L, Stein DS (1997) Factors related to errors in medication prescribing. JAMA 277(4):312–317

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Levinson W (2017) Review of medical microbiology and immunology, 13th edn. McGraw-Hill Education, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Lozano I (1997) Therapeutic use of Cannibis Sativa L. in Arab medicine. Asclepio 49(2):199–208

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luque CA, Rey JA (2002) The discovery and status of sibutramine as an anti-obesity drug. Eur J Pharmacol 440(2–3):119–128

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • MacLeod S, Musich S, Gulyas S, Cheng Y, Tkatch R, Cempellin D et al (2017) The impact of inadequate health literacy on patient satisfaction, healthcare utilization, and expenditures among older adults. Geriatr Nurs 38:334–341

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mahmoud MA, Alswaida Y, Alshammari T, Khan TM, Alrasheedy A, Hassali MA, Aljadhey H (2013) Community pharmacists’ knowledge, behaviors and experiences about adverse drug reaction reporting in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Pharm J 22(5):411–418

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Mathew E, Muttappallymyalil J, Sreedharan J, John L, John J, Mehboob M, Mathew A (2013) Self-reported use of complementary and alternative medicine among the health care consumers at a tertiary care center in Ajman, United Arab Emirates. Ann Med Health Sci Res 3(2):215–219

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Maziak W (2002) Smoking in Syria: profile of a developing Arab country. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 6(3):183–191

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maziak W, Nakkash R, Bahelah R, Husseini A, Fanous N, Eissenberg T (2014) Tobacco in the Arab world: old and new epidemics amidst policy paralysis. Health Policy Plan 29(6):784–794

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McLaughlin JK, Lipworth L, Chow WH, Blot WJ (1998) Analgesic use and chronic renal failure: a critical review of the epidemiologic literature. Kidney Int 54(3):679–686

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mohammad A, Saini B, Chaar BB (2015) Exploring culturally and linguistically diverse consumer needs in relation to medicines use and health information within the pharmacy setting. Res Social Adm Pharm 11(4):545–559

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mohanna M (2010) Self-medication with antibiotic in children in Sana’a City, Yemen. Oman Med J 25(1):41–43

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Murphy PW, Davis TC, Long SW, Jackson RH, Decker BC (1993) Rapid estimate of adult literacy in medicine (REALM): a quick reading test for patients. J Read 37:124–130

    Google Scholar 

  • Musaiger AO, Al Hazzaa H, Al-Qahtani A, Elati J, Ramadan J, AboulElla NA, Mokhtar N, Kilani HA (2011) Strategy to combat obesity and to promote physical activity in Arab countries. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 4:89–97

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Naja F, Fadel RA, Alameddine M, Aridi Y, Zarif A, Hariri D, Mugharbel A, Khalil M, Nahleh Z, Tfayli A (2015) Complementary and alternative medicine use and its association with quality of life among Lebanese breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study. BMC Complement Altern Med 22(15):444

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naweed A, Asem A (2016) Obesity and diabetes mellitus in the Arab world. J Taibah Univ Sci 11(4):301–309

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberholzer HM, van der Schoor C, Bester MJ (2015) Sibutramine, a serotomin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, causes fibrosis in rats. Environ Toxicol Phar 40:71–76

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padwal RJ, Majumdar SR (2007) Drug treatments for obesity: orlistat, sibutramine, and rimonabant. Lancet 369(9555):71–77

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Qato DM (2017) Current state of pharmacovigilance in the Arab and Eastern Mediterranean region: results of a 2015 survey. Int J Pharm Pract. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpp.12372

  • Rigotti N (2017) Pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/pharmacotherapy-for-smoking-cessation-in-adults

    Google Scholar 

  • Saab YB, Hachem A, Sinno S, El-Moalem H (2006) Inappropriate medication use in elderly Lebanese outpatients: prevalence and risk factors. Drugs Aging 23(9):743–752

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sabry NA, Farid SF, Dawoud DM (2014) Antibiotic dispensing in Egyptian community pharmacies: an observational study. Res Social Adm Pharm 10(1):168–184

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sadat-Ali M, Alshafei B, Alturki R, Ahmed S, Alabbas S, Alomran A (2010) Medication administration errors in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 31:1257–1259

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sallouta R, Ali R, Sijari AN (2004) Medicine prices, affordability, availability and component costs in the Syrian Arab Republic. http://www.haiweb.org/medicineprices/surveys/200312SY/survey_report.pdf

  • Sawair FA, Baqain ZH, Abu Karaky A, Abu Eid R (2009) Assessment of self-medication of antibiotics in a Jordanian population. Med Princ Pract 18(1):21–25

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sawalha AF, Sweileh WM, Zyoud SH, Jabi SW (2008) Self-therapy practices among university students in Palestine: focus on herbal remedies. Complement Ther Med 16(6):343–349

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Scicluna EA, Borg MA, Gur D, Rasslan O, Taher I, Redjeb SB, Elnassar Z, Bagatzouni DP, Daoud Z (2009) Self-medication with antibiotics in the ambulatory care setting within the Euro-Mediterranean region; results from the ARMed project. J Infect Public Health 2(4):189–197

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shah NM, Shah MA, Al-Rahmani E (2001) Contraceptive use among Kuwaitis, 1984–1999. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 73(2):173–175

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Shehadeh M, Suaifan G, Darwish RM, Wazaify M, Zaru L, Alja'fari S (2012) Knowledge, attitudes and behavior regarding antibiotics use and misuse among adults in the community of Jordan. A pilot study. Saudi Pharm J 20(2):125–133

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sridhar SB, Shariff A, Al Halabi N, Sarmini R, Harb LA (2017) Assessment of perception, experience, and information-seeking behavior of the public of Ras Al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, toward usage and safety of complementary and alternative medicine. J Pharm Bioallied Sci 9(1):48–55

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Sweileh WM, Arafat RT, Al-Khyat LS, Al-Masri DM, Jaradat NA (2004) A pilot study to investigate over the counter drug abuse and misuse in Palestine. Saudi Med J 25(12):2029–2032

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tkacz VL, Metzger A, Pruchnicki MC (2008) Health literacy in pharmacy. Am J Health Syst Pharm 65(10):974–981

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • UNFPA (2012) Women’s need for family planning in Arab countries. http://www.prb.org/pdf12/family-planning-arab-countries.pdf

  • UN (2015) Trends in contraceptive use worldwide 2015. http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/population/publications/pdf/family/trendsContraceptiveUse2015Report.pdf

  • UN (2017) Hundreds of thousands of children immunized against measles in outbreak hotspots in Somalia. https://www.unicef.org/somalia/reallives_19971.html

  • Von Wagner C, Steptoe A, Wolf MS, Wardle J (2009) Health literacy and health actions: a review and a framework from health psychology. Health Educ Behav 36(5):860–877

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ward KD, Asfar T, Al Ali R, Rastam S, Weg MW, Eissenberg T, Maziak W (2013) Randomized trial of the effectiveness of combined behavioral/pharmacological smoking cessation treatment in Syrian primary care clinics. Addiction 108(2):394–403

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2000) Guidelines for the regulatory assessment of medicinal products for use in self medication. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/66154/WHO_EDM_QSM_00.1_eng.pdf?sequence=1

  • WHO (2003) Adherence to long-term therapies evidence for action. http://www.who.int/chp/knowledge/publications/adherence_report/en/

  • WHO – Jordan Food and Drug Administration (2007a) Medicine prices, availability and affordability in Jordan. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s17749en/s17749en.pdf

  • WHO (2007b) STEPwise data from selected countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region. http://www.emro.who.int/noncommunicable-diseases/stepwise-surveillance/stepwise-surveillance-steps.html

  • WHO (2008) Medicine prices, availability, affordability and price components. A synthesis report of medicine price surveys undertaken in selected countries of the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s16180e/s16180e.pdf

  • WHO (2009) Pharmacovigilance guidelines. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Js19480en/

  • WHO – Egypt Ministry of Health (2011) Egypt pharmaceutical country profile. http://apps.who.int/medicinedocs/documents/s19733en/s19733en.pdf

  • WHO (2013a) Over 23 million children to be vaccinated in mass polio immunization campaign across Middle East. http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2013/polio-vaccination-20131209/en/

  • WHO (2013b) Strengthening routine immunization in Sudan. http://www.who.int/features/2013/sudan_immunization/en/

  • WHO (2016) World immunization week 2016: close the immunization gap. http://www.who.int/campaigns/immunization-week/2016/en/

  • WHO (2017a) Tobacco control country profiles. http://www.who.int/tobacco/global_data/country_profiles/en/

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO (2017b) Vigibase, the WHO Global ICSR Database System: basic facts. Available from: http://who-umc.org/graphics/24965.pdf

  • WHO (2017c) Recommendations for routine immunization. http://www.who.int/immunization/policy/immunization_tables/en/

  • WHO (2017d) Immunization schedules by antigens – Eastern Mediterranean region. http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/schedules?sc%5Br%5D%5B%5D=AFRO&sc%5Bc%5D%5B%5D=AFG&sc%5Bd%5D=&sc%5Bv%5D%5B%5D=HEPB

  • WHO-UNICEF (2016) Country list for WHO-UNICEF review of national immunization coverage. http://apps.who.int/immunization_monitoring/globalsummary/wucoveragecountrylist.html

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilbur K (2013) Pharmacovigilance in the Middle East. Drug Saf 36(1):25–30

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yamashita T, Kart CS (2011) Is diabetes-specific health literacy associated with diabetes-related outcomes in older adults? J Diabetes 3(2):138–146

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Youssef RM, Moubarak II (2002) Patterns and determinants of treatment compliance among hypertensive patients. East Mediterr Health J 8(4–5):579–592

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

    Sanah Hasan

  2. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates

    Muaed J. Al-Omar

  3. College of Pharmacy, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

    Hamzah AlZubaidy

  4. College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Ajman University, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates

    Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi

Authors
  1. Sanah Hasan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Muaed J. Al-Omar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hamzah AlZubaidy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Yaser Mohammed Al-Worafi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sanah Hasan .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada

    Ismail Laher

Section Editor information

  1. Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Jordan University of Science & Technology, Irbid, Jordan

    Yusuf S. Khader BDS, MSc, MSPH, MHPE, FFPH

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2021 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

Hasan, S., Al-Omar, M.J., AlZubaidy, H., Al-Worafi, Y.M. (2021). Use of Medications in Arab Countries. In: Laher, I. (eds) Handbook of Healthcare in the Arab World. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-36811-1_91

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation