European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

THE PROBE ON THE EXTENSION OF SELF MEDICATION PRACTICE IN SOCIETY

Ayisha Sana P., Binesh V. P., Shahada Sherin V., Shifana M. T., Aslamiyya P. and Jijith U. S.*

ABSTRACT

Background: Self-medication is defined as the administration of medication intentionally by the patient or the
initiative of registered pharmacist or an amateur without a valid prescription and consulltation of a registered
medical practitioner. Every day, self-medication is practiced in the form of self-care of our health. Thus an
extensive study on self-medication is highly relevant and this study was aimed to estimate the prevalence of selfmedication
practice in the society and to identify incendiary factors that could impact the self-medication, to
explore the source of practicing self medication and its details and to notice the precise reason for SM across
Kozhikode district. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 284 subjects among different
types of community across Kozhikode city from April 8 to May 8, 2023. Data were collected through a specially
designed proforma using a closed-ended, self-administered questionnaire containing 15 questions. Results: Selfmedication
was highly prevalent among the society with 90.14% and only 9.86% of people are not involved in the
practice of self-medication. Conclusion: Majority of people consider fever, headache, allergy and cold like
conditions as common ailments and thus take medication themselves. Great number of people oblivious about the
inconsequent of SM and adhere to OTC drugs. During the study we finally found that the whole approach must be
modified:-(i)Initiate awareness and education regarding the practice of self-medication (ii) systematic approaches
to prevent the dispensing without prescription (iii)Mandatory control regarding pharmaceutical advertising (iv)
Strategies to ensure healthy communication within pharmacy & receiving health care more accessible and
affordable (v)and warnings about the AMR.

Keywords: Self-medication practice, Antimicrobial resistance, Adverse drug reactions, Over the counter drugs, World Health Organization, Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.