Pharmaco-epidemiological study of self-medication pattern in Hyderabad

Inappropriate use of drugs for self-medication leads to emergence of drug resistant pathogens and poses serious health hazards.

The study was conducted in December 2011. It was a community based cross-sectional survey on a sample of 258 households, which were selected randomly. Data was collected by pre-designed questionnaire.

The most common system involved for assessment was the respiratory system (21.34%). Analgesics were most commonly used drugs for self medication (18.48%) followed by usage of antibiotics (16.80%). Most of the drugs for self-medication were obtained from drug retail outlets (35.71%) followed by friends/neighbours/family practice (34.45%). The major reason for using self-medication was attitude of not to waste money on doctors’ fees (37.81%) followed by inability to afford doctors’ fees (25.63%).

From the study it is concluded that majority of the persons go for self medication without proper knowledge of the dose, adverse drug reactions, and drug interactions. Hence, the issue needs to be addressed by the responsible authorities of State Pharmacy Council/Ministry of Health. The availability of drugs in informal sectors contributed to the increase in self-medication. Though self-medication is hard to eliminate, drug law enforcement and educating the public at large is vital.