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.
Bener, A., Abdulla, S., and Murdoch, J. C. (1993). Primary Health Care in the United Arab Emirates. Family Practice , 10(4), 440–448.
Gulf News (2011a). “Many Doctors in Small Clinics Work on Commission Basis.” Gulf News. 22 August, p. 7.
Gulf News (2011b). “Overdosing Is a Common Problem.” Gulf News. 9 October, p. 3.
Gulf News (2011c). “Patients Urged to Be Careful with Over the Counter Drugs.” Gulf News. 24 October, p. 2.
Matthew, A. P. (2001). Obesity: A Big Problem in the UAE. Al Ain, UAE: UAE University.
National Newspaper (2011). “Hospital Blames Waits on System.” National Newspaper. 7 October, p. 2.
Okaida, A. (2003). Mental Health Service in the Arab World. Arab Studies Quarterly , 25(4), 39–52.
Patton, M. Q. (1990). Designing Qualitative Studies. London: Sage Publications.
Raven, C. (2002). The Intersection of Healthcare Organizational Ethics. Abu Dhabi, UAE: Ethics Resource Center.
Seedhouse, D. (2003). Ethics: The Heart of Health Care. New York: Wiley.
UAE Ministry of Health (2001). Professional Code of Conduct for Primary Health Care Staff. Abu Dhabi, UAE: UAE Ministry of Health.
Xpress Newspaper (2013). “Pharmacists Aren't Doctors: Dangers of Over the Counter Treatment.” Xpress Newspaper. 7 September, p. 1.
Yeboah, D. A. (2005). A Tale of Two Regions: Reproductive Health in the Caribbean and the Gulf. Arab Studies Quarterly , 27(3), 41–50.
Yeboah, D. A. (2007). The Impact of Population Variables on Health Services Demand and Provision in the UAE. Arab Studies Quarterly , 29(1), 61–78.
Yeboah, D. A. (2013). Over the Counter Sale of Prescription Medicines in Abu Dhabi. Paper presented at the International Conference in Sociology, 6–9 May, Athens.
Yeboah, D. A., and Yeboah, T. M. (2014). Over the Counter Sale of Prescription Only Medications in Abu Dhabi, UAE. British Journal of Applied Science and Technology , 4(17), 1128–1137
Yeboah, D. A., and Brathwaithe, F. (2010). Gender Variations in Criminal Victimization in Barbados. Open Criminology Journal , 3, 1–8.
Zuhur, S. (2003). Women Development in the Arab World. Arab Studies Quarterly , 25(4), 17–38.