Internal Dynamics of Self –Medication (SM)

Recently, especially during Covid-19, there has been an increasing trend of Self-Medication (SM) in rural and semi urban areas of India.  There are various contributing factors for these practices. It is defined as the use of medicine by patients on his own initiative or on the advice of pharmacists, previous prescription, and suggestion of family members of friends instead of consulting qualified doctors. The medicines which are available with pharmacists without prescription or over the counter (OTC) are known to be part of self-medication. A medicine that requires doctors’ recommendation is known as prescribed product (Rx products).The present work discusses the positive sides at individual level and community level and at the same time possible risks involved at community level and individual level. It was found that even though there were various risks involved due to self-medication, people in rural and semi-urban areas also find some positive side of the same. Most importantly they believe that it reduces the cost of travelling, and cost of consultation with doctor. Sometimes due to past experience of the same sort of diseases or symptoms, people opt for self-medication practices. The study concludes that Potential benefits at individual levels were self –reliance for preventing minor disease and saving of time & energy. Similarly the same for the community level were extending the health care services to the needy people in rural and remote areas and saving scare medical resources for minor treatments /diseases. Potential risk at individual levels Failure to report or recognize the adverse drug reactions. Failure to seek appropriate medical assistance immediately and from the community point of view wasteful public expenditure and will lead to family disturbance due to death of member of family.