Insights into self-medication

Abstract

Self-medication is a global phenomenon. It is also ambiguous and is increasingly being practiced worldwide for different reasons. We live in a world where health awareness, consciousness, and adoption of preventive behaviours are a growing norm both among the young and older individuals. On the one hand, it is viewed as a large component of self-care, which relies heavily on the consumer‟s expertise in terms of experience of the consumer, when it comes to medication use. In recent times, it has been extensively debated in developing countries where the associated risk factors have been highlighted in almost every survey carried out. In countries like India, self –medication is being practiced both with prescription and non-prescription drugs (also known as over-the-counter drugs). Medicines for self-medication are often called non-prescription or “over-the-counter” medicines (OTC) and are available without a doctor‟s prescription through pharmacies (Source: Responsible self-care and self-medication, Review of worldwide consumer surveys. www.wsmi.org). In developing countries, it becomes important to understand the phenomenon within economic-infrastructural and cultural-cognitive contexts. A detailed literature review based on survey findings on self-medication in developing countries was carried out. This was done to understand, evaluate and analyse the factors leading to self-medication with a view to explain the phenomenon as it occurs. Findings were listed as common and unique depending on their probability of occurrence. Some common reasons emerge for self-medication through cross sectional surveys these being, time saving, quick relief, cost saving, intensity of symptoms and lack of accessibility to healthcare. Self-medication as a form of health behaviour is unique because it is region and context specific and can be manifested in various forms hence prompting a deeper understanding into this phenomenon.