Self-Medication Practices: A Threatening Challenge

Background and Objectives: Self-Medication is a growing concern for the health authorities especially in Urban population. This research was aimed to find the various determinants of Self-Medication and to assess the influence of Pharmacists, Perception about doctors, Self- Knowledge gaining attitude of the patients on Self-Medication.

Methods: This study was conducted in Nagpur city with a random sample constituting house wives, students, professionals and Businessman. The sample size was 71. Descriptive analyses, correlation analyses and multiple regressions were performed using SPSS Version 21.0.

Results: The results indicated that 80% of the housewives take the medicines on the basis of previous prescription, word of mouth or on the suggestion of the pharmacist. It was alarming to find that 76% of the students took the medicines on the basis of web search. Fever (39%), headache (33%) & Abdominal pain (23%) are the prominent reasons for Self-Medication. There was a positive correlation between Advice of Pharmacist, Self-knowledge collection attitude of the patient with the Self-Medication behavior. NSAID’s, anti-allergen and antibiotics are the most frequently used drugs.

Conclusion: Self-medication is an important health issue prevalent in India. Over the counter (OTC) and Old prescriptions available with the patients leads to rise in Self-Medication. There should be a strict regulatory control on procurement of drugs from the pharmacist.