The Misuse of Prescription Drugs after the 2023 Earthquake in Türkiye: Insights from Pharmacy Workers
The Misuse of Prescription Drugs after the 2023 Earthquake in Türkiye: Insights from Pharmacy Workers

Summary/Abstract: The misuse of prescription drugs among individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) is a growing public health concern, particularly after disasters. However, there is limited research on the experiences of pharmacy workers in such contexts. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the post-earthquake experiences of 30 pharmacy workers (19 male, 11 female) regarding prescription drug misuse by individuals with SUD. Data was collected via semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically. Six themes emerged: the impact of the 2023 earthquake in Türkiye; misused medications and user characteristics; methods of identifying individuals with SUD; strategies to combat misuse; violence and security concerns; and Ministry of Health regulations. Pharmacy workers pointed to an increased misuse of prescription drugs after the earthquake, with young adults (18-30) being a key risk group. It is recommended that such medications be dispensed only through hospital pharmacies, under strict control, to reduce misuse and enhance staff safety.

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