Non-medical use of prescription drugs in Malta : professionals’ perspectives

Abstract

The non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) has been declared a worldwide problem which exceeds that of illegal drug use by a United Nations panel (Zarocostas, 2007). NMUPD refers to “use of a prescription drug, whether obtained by prescription or otherwise, other than in the manner or for the time period prescribed, or by a person for whom the drug was not prescribed” (Lithuanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, 2013:14). This study adopted a qualitative approach, exploring the perspectives of health and social science field professionals with regards to NMUPD. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six participants. Data was analysed using the constant comparative method. Analysis revealed five overarching concepts, namely: the medicalisation of society, perceived facilitators of NMUPD, perceptions of NMUPD sources, demographic variation of NMUPD, and perceived impact of NMUPD. The study concludes with recommendations for further research, policy and service development.