Table 2

Practices of pharmacists concerning PPIs dispensing

	N	%
How often do you dispense nonprescription PPIs for your patients?
Rarely	87	19.3
Every day	105	23.3
Every week	259	57.4
PPIs represent your first nonprescription choice for your patients who suffer from indigestion?
No	374	82.9
Yes	77	17.1
Do you ask your patients if he/she takes any other drug, to prevent any kind of drug-drug interaction with PPIs?
No	59	13.1
Yes	392	86.9
Did you suggest lifestyle changes to improve the symptoms?
No	15	3.3
Yes	436	96.7
Do you tell your patients on best time to take PPIs during the day?
No	9	2.0
Yes	442	98.0
Do you tell your patients on the side effects of PPIs?
No	148	32.8
Yes	303	67.2
Do you tell your patients on the duration of using PPIs?
No	130	28.8
Yes	321	71.2
Do you tell your patients on the important drug–drug interactions of PPIs?
No	144	31.9
Yes	307	68.1
If the patient does not improve on the PPIs, what is your recommendation?
Add an H2 receptor blocker	26	5.8
Switch to another PPI	51	11.3
Switch to H2 receptor blocker	13	2.9
Refer to a physician	361	80.0
Do you recommend any supplements for patients taking the PPIs for a long period of times and suffer from iron, calcium, B₁₂ and magnesium deficiency?
No	118	26.2
Yes	333	73.8
Do you review instructions with patient to ensure their proper use of PPIs?
No, because they are safe	19	4.2
No, there is no time	59	13.1
No, I never thought of that	40	8.9
Yes	333	73.8