Gender Variations In Over the Counter Sale of Prescription Medicines in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abstract: Over the counter sale of medicines is endemic in Abu Dhabi and all sorts of medicines can be purchased without the submission of a prescription (Yeboah, 2013). This study looks at the gender dimensions of the practice and examines the reasons given by pharmacists and their clients for the practice, emphasizing the specific differences between male and female respondents. The methodologies involve survey of pharmacists and their clients together with direct observation of the practice in selected pharmaceutical outlets. The results point to clear differences in the reasons given by male and female purchasers, but little to no differences in the reasons given by male and female pharmacists. The study concludes that both males and females are involved in the practice, albeit more male purchasers were observed buying the medicines.