A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Knowledge of Medicine Safety and Frequency of Reading Medication Leaflets and Its Predictors-Insights from Saudi Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia [Letter]

Dear editor

We have perused the research article entitled “A Cross-Sectional Evaluation of Knowledge of Medicine Safety and Frequency of Reading Medication Leaflets and Its Predictors-Insights from Saudi Adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia” by Alghamdi et al.¹ The article emphasised several points: (1) There is still a need for an enhanced understanding of drug safety, as indicated by the respondents’ difficulty in comprehending medication leaflets (2) The occurrence of drug safety issues, adverse drug responses, and drug resistance can be mitigated through the pre-use consultation of healthcare professionals. (3) Achieving public awareness concerning preventing medication errors or adverse drug reactions can be accomplished through extensive and comprehensive campaigns across multiple media platforms, health services, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare professionals.

Nevertheless, this study encountered several constraints: (1) The researchers devised the questionnaire based on existing literature. There is a possibility of bias. Hence, it is recommended that researchers employ psychometric principles when developing and validating instruments. (2) Online questionnaires were biased due to the absence of direct supervision, resulting in a sample consisting solely of respondents who are proficient in technology. This is evident in the demographic profile of the participants, with students comprising the majority (48.8%) compared to other groups. Furthermore, most respondents fall between 18 and 30, accounting for 65.5%. (3) the researchers should have adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines to ensure the high quality of observational studies.² (4) This study is a cross-sectional study conducted at a single centre with a small sample size. Therefore, it is necessary to validate the findings of this study using multicenter and prospective cohort studies.

We propose recommending additional areas for prospective research. (1) Conducting a qualitative study to explore the reasons behind individuals’ inclination for self-medication and its effects on their health would be a compelling endeavour. Investigating this matter may discover methods and ultimately enhance public safety. (2) It is necessary to investigate how healthcare teams engage and communicate with millennials and the elderly regarding providing information about medicines. (3) Determine efficacious methods health services employ to enhance public comprehension and consciousness using traditional or digital information sources (such as websites, telehealth, or video education).^3–5 In order to promote healthy behaviour about drug use, individuals must seek guidance and acquire accurate information about the substance, hence enhancing their health literacy. (4) It is crucial to consider additional factors such as economic position and place of living (rural or urban) when considering pharmaceutical information. Economic position and place of living influence access to healthcare services and medication due to their impact on information and awareness.