Global Scenario of Self Medication: A Review of Literature

Self-medication can be defined as obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of a physician for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment. Self-medication is widely practiced with varying dimensions in India and globally. A review of literaturewas conducted on various studies conducted in different geographies that focused on the practices of self-medication based on different factors like demography, gender, occupation, standard of living. To review the literature on self-medication practise globally and understand all the factors that isdirectly or indirectly related to the practice of self-medication.This paper helps in understanding various factors that affect self-medication practices like income, age, prior knowledge, education, occupation, gender, etc. Finally the study throws a light on practices of self-medication in India and in few other countries, explaining different causes, sources and reasons of self-medication. An extensive review of literature was undertaken in which 46 Studiesconducted on self-medication practices and factors affecting self-medication were selected for the review purpose. The most common ailments for which self-medication arepracticed are cold, fever and body & head ache. Analgesics, paracetamol and antibiotics are most prevalent drugs used for self-medication. The most common source of information regarding self-medication ispersonal experience and information from the credible source like chemist, friends and family. Information through commercial sourceslike health magazines and advertisements are not much relied on for self-medication. Also, the practice of self-medication is not related with the educational level of patients. Affordability, quick relief and less time consumption isthe main reasons forwhich self-medication arepracticed.