O-75 Public’s awareness and attitude towards the dangers associated with counterfeit medicines in Trinidad and Tobago: A cross-sectional study

Methods: The study was conducted amongst Trinidad and Tobago nationals who were >18 years of age. The survey comprised 22 questions and was distributed to the public using snowball sampling via social media platforms, and QR coded flyers. Statistical analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 29, and Chi-Square analysis was used to detect a significant association between demographics and measured variables.

Results: Respondents (n=404) were mostly females (64%), had a mean (± SD) age of 37.33 ± 15.24 years, attained tertiary level education (47.5%), resided in Central Trinidad (35.9%) and were employed in the nonmedical field (60.4 %). The majority (89.7%) obtained their medication from community pharmacies, and 27.4% were not familiar with the term CM. Familiarity of CM was associated with increased education levels (χ2 (3,305) =70.886, p<0.001) and occupation in the medical field (χ2 (1,305) = 28.909, p<0.001). Those familiar with the term CM, heard of it from social media (61%) and television (46.1%). Only 26.3% were certain they had never purchased CM and less than half were able to identify features of CM. Education level was associated with awareness and the likelihood to seek advice from the pharmacist (χ2 (3,305) = 32.05, p<0.0001). Reporting of CM was low with 29.7% stating they would report to the Ministry of Health, and only 18% to CARPHAs VigiCarib.

Conclusion: Participants were unable to identify features of CM which could lead to its detection, and some were still willing to purchase CM due to cheaper prices and medication shortages. Reporting to regulatory authorities was low, and pharmacist led education campaigns using social media and television can increase awareness, vigilance and reporting of CM.