Self-medication is characterized as the use of medicines by an individual to treat self-diagnosed illnesses or symptoms without any medical guidance or knowledge.

In today’s healthcare system, treatment of a minor issue using a pharmaceutical product received without a prescription is a part of self-care. These products are commonly referred to as over the counter (OTC) medicines.

Throughout the years, a positive outlook toward the role of self-medication within healthcare is growing. Researchers looking into self-care have suggested that self-medication causes an individual to take better responsibility for managing their own health and preventing minor illnesses.

The pharmaceutical industry also benefits from self-care via OTC medicines, as the public has greater access to their products. In addition, if members of the public can effectively treat their own minor illnesses, then the cost of public health for the government will be reduced.

What encourages patients to self-medicate?

There are various factors that influence the use of self-care through self-medication with OTC drugs. An individual’s socio-economic situation, time and cost required to visit a doctor, education level, age, and whether they have medical products that are available easily.

Products used as self-medication account for approximately 20% of the total international pharmaceutical market.

Misuse and abuse in self-medication

There are multiple concerns surrounding the misuse and abuse of self-medication.

Among these concerns are the facts that OTC drugs have been used for non-medical purposes and are sometimes used for longer than the recommended usage period. As well as this, the use of OTC drugs may delay a patient seeking treatment for serious medical conditions.

Studies suggest that members of the public are blindly taking OTC medications due to advice from family and friends, sometimes unaware of things like suggested dosage. Proper awareness of side effects and relevant dosages of OTC drugs needs to be cultivated.

Pharmacists play a key role in monitoring and combatting the risks associated with patients misusing or abusing OTC drugs. Through consultation with patients about the proper use and management of OTC drugs, pharmacists can alleviate some of the risks.

Many pharmacists use a series of questions like the ones listed below:

·      Who is the patient?

·      What are the Symptoms?

·      How long have the symptoms been present?

·      Has any previous medication been taken?

The answers to these questions can help the pharmacist effectively guide the patent and monitor the outcome.

Conclusion

Self-medication with OTC drugs is not a practice that’s likely to reduce in scope anytime soon.

Although it comes with positive outcomes, such as patients taking greater responsibility for their own health and overall better access to medication. There are also several risk factors including potential misuse and abuse of OTC drugs leading to harmful and potentially deadly medical conditions.

The regulation of OTC drugs relies on advice from pharmacists, taking into account the education levels of different patients whilst providing proper advice and counselling on the proper usage of OTC drugs.