It is said that our world is a place where the fittest survives. Fitness is more often than not associated with being healthy. The desire to remain healthy has made people impatient and they tend to buy medicines with or without doctors’ advice to get a quick relief. The drugs sold to patients without a proper prescription are known as ‘over the counter drugs’. Whereas those bought after complying with doctors’ advice are called ‘prescription’ medicines.
According to a research work, the sale of ‘prescription drugs’ without the doctor’s prescription is far more than ‘over the counter’ drugs. In Pakistan practically all drugs are purchasable over the counter. With the first symptom of a sickness, people decide to buy readily accessible medicines. It is generally believed that medicine ensures relief. Thus, the urgency to take medicine has made self-medication a routine thing. Some people get to know of a particular tablet or syrup by word of mouth and start taking it. Non-availability of licensed pharmacists at medical stores, and non-enforceability of laws pertinent to purchase of drugs, give a free hand to certain people.
Going by word of mouth and commercialization of drugs are common practices. Family, friends, and neighbours are a common source of information, and during sickness, individuals seek advice from them. This scenario has an adverse effect, because these advisers have limited knowledge. To further worsen the situation, the media plays its role by providing a wide variety of products to choose from. Some advertisements suggest that by treating the symptoms on their own, adults would be able to meet the demands of their jobs, children would be able to concentrate on their studies, and parents’ schedule would run smoothly.
Unfortunately, most parents treat their children with cough syrups and flu medicines, unaware of the fact that their use may cause side-effects, such as drug dependency. In this respect, Krogh says: “An integral part of non- prescription drug counselling is an explanation of the intended benefits of a products.” The practical explanation of frequency, quantity, and duration of taking medicines remains missing. Pills are simply advertised for diseases such as cold, headache or stomachache that lead individuals to take decision on their own. This continuously masks symptoms and postpones consequences to be faced later. Furthermore, the incentives offered by pharmaceutical companies definitely increase the trend of self- medication. Many sub-standard and low-priced medicines commercialized by pharmaceutical agencies are stocked at medical stores, and sold when clients wish not to buy expensive drugs.
Professional pharmacists are seldom present at medical stores. Attendants generally take care of the stores. They, being limited in professional knowledge, are handicapped in recognizing appropriate combinations, frequency, quantity, side-effects, and contraindications of medicines. According to a research: “Pharmacists play a key role in giving advice to consumers on the proper and safe use of medicinal products intended of self- medication.” Therefore, it is dangerous to rely on the opinions of attendants in the absence of pharmacists.
Moreover, pharmacists are legally given the sole jurisdiction on non-prescription drugs on the basis that they will provide responsible advice regarding the use of drugs. A reliable advice on self-medication is rare in our country. For instance, shop attendants would at once give medicines to a person suffering from a headache. Whereas a person who is suffering from a headache for three days must consult his doctor. These attendants can hardly give any reliable advice. Patients, when not relieved, may take the liberty to take two tablets assuming that if one is good, two would be better. Krogh Says: “Unwise reliance on self- medication may result in inaccurate or delayed diagnosis ... adverse drug-drug or drug-disease interactions, unnecessary adverse reactions and risks, and delayed treatment with effective prescription drugs.” The day-to-day activities of medical stores are typically monitored by the attendants who have little knowledge of drug management, which involves risk.
The government continuously overlooks the legal aspects that restrict patients to have a free hand in buying drugs. The authorities concerned take no steps regarding the harm caused to society by self-medication. Some studies indicate that the rich place a higher value on time and are inclined to self-medication, whereas the poor tend to self-medicate in order to avoid the costs of professional care.
Senior citizens practise self-medication to save the cost of visiting a doctor. However, it does not protect them from the risk involved. Rago mentions: “First and foremost is the principle that no drug is absolutely safe.”
In this connection, healthy policies are nowhere to be seen. Corrective measures should be implemented, keeping the safety of consumers as top priority. The government, health-care professionals, and promoters of products relevant to self- medication, have a great challenge before them to prepare a framework for medication. This framework should include a clear distinction between products which require more active involvement of doctors or qualified health professionals, and those that can be safely used by consumers on their own. In addition to that, each medicine should be properly labelled as ‘prescription’ or ‘over the counter’ drug.
Self-medication is a wrong practice. It makes people continuously play with their lives. They grab opportunities that attract them to save money and time. The government has always ignored this practice, whereas strict actions should have been taken against the culprits who take advantage of such people.
Apart from that, a value-based curriculum should be introduced into the present system of education to make people act responsibly. The government should keep a vigilant eye on the media. Strict follow-up should be done to ensure that promulgated rules are enforced. A reasonable system of consultancy must be established for the people belonging to the lower socio-economic stratum.
It is said that our world is a place where the fittest survives. Fitness is more often than not associated with being healthy. The desire to remain healthy has made people impatient and they tend to buy medicines with or without doctors’ advice to get a quick relief. The drugs sold to patients without a proper prescription are known as ‘over the counter drugs’. Whereas those bought after complying with doctors’ advice are called ‘prescription’ medicines.
