Evaluation of patients’ knowledge about their medications: A cross-sectional study in Qassim region, Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND: To authors’ knowledge, in Saudi Arabia, information regarding patients’ knowledge about their medications is lacking. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to fill this literature gap by assessing patients’ knowledge and perceptions about their medications. DESIGN: To achieve the objective of the study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted outside community pharmacies in Qassim region through an exit interview with patients after getting their prescriptions filled or refilled. METHODS: A convenient sample of patients was chosen based on acceptance to participate. A form was prepared based on the core and complementary medicines use indicators for evaluation of medicines use in healthcare settings developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). RESULTS: Four hundred forty-three forms were completed. A total of 70% of the indicators of patients’ knowledge about their medications were found to be satisfactory, and a total of 89% of the patients were found to have positive perceptions about safety and effectiveness of their medications. CONCLUSION: Overall, patients’ knowledge about their medications was found to be reasonable with exception of the area “information about precautions and possible side effects” which had shown poor patients’ knowledge.