Padma L1, Veena D. R2, Shanmukananda P3
AIM: To assess the prevalence and pattern of self-medication use. Material and methods: It was a cross-sectional questionnaire based survey conducted by the Department of Pharmacology at Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and Hospital in September 2014. 200 non - teaching staff were included in this study.
RESULTS: Headache, common cold, cough and fever were the most common conditions for which people have used OTC drugs. NSAIDs (37.93%) were the most commonly used group of drugs for self-medication. Easy availability of OTC drugs was the most common cause for using self-medication. Pharmacists, showing previous prescription were the most common methods for procuring drugs by the people
CONCLUSION: This study shows that majority of the people had poor knowledge about appropriate selfmedication. It emphasises the need for specific pharmacovigilance where the patient, pharmacist and physician must be encouraged to report any adverse events. Periodic studies on the knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication may give insight into the changing pattern of drug use in societies.
