[Family pharmacy: survey of a sample of patients in Midi-Pyrénées].

Objective: Possession of drugs at home in the family pharmacy and self-medication are at risk.

Method: Appraisal based upon an analysis of 247 questionnaires completed by patients and 116 questionnaires completed by general practitioners in the French department of Haute Garonne (Southwestern, France).

Results: Two hundred and forty-four patients were involved in the study. In 80% of cases, women were in charge of family pharmacy who was located in 66% of cases in a unsecurise room and could be reached by children in 17% of cases. Drugs most frequently found: antiseptics (97%), paracetamol (91%), anti-inflammatory drugs (68%), anti-diarrhea (60%). For the physicians 52 useable questionnaires, 80% of physician were confronted with one of three risks: self-medication, drug autolysis, poisoning in children.

Conclusion: Women are the referent of the family pharmacy. The doctors seem best placed to a message of prevention through minimal advice.