Steroid Tablet Inappropriate Selling Behavior among Drug Stores in Muang District. Phitsanulok (พฤติกรรมการขายยาเม็ดสเตียรอยด์อย่างไม่ถูกต้องในร้านยา เขตอำเภอเมือง จังหวัดพิษณุโลก)

In Thailand, steroids are designated controlled substances which may be dispensed only by physician prescriptions and under the supervision of registered pharmacists. However, studies have shown that steroids are still widely obtainable in the community without physician prescriptions. The main purpose of this study was to survey steroid tablets inappropriate selling fcsituation in Muang District, Phitsanulok.  The study comprised of two phases. Phase one was a steroid buying survey of 65 Type J and II drug stores, using four requesting methods. Phase two was face -to-face interviews with Tdrug store personnel. The results showed that bringing in an empty package obtained from a tr hospital and requesting for a refill was the most successful method to buy the drugs even bi without prescriptions (58.2%). Showing a piece of paper with the name of steroid written and requesting ten tablets was found to obtain the medications from 26 stores (47.3%). When di requesting for five, twenty drug stores (36.4o/~) sold the drugs. Thirteen drug stores (23.6%) th sold steroid when the Set for back pain was requested. Overall, Type I drug stores were found at to sell steroid tablets more frequently than Type II (S5.3 and 38.1% respectively, pcontrolled substance regulations. However, their knowlm edge did not significantly explain their steroid selling behavior.