Self-medication is an important health issue especially in developing countries like India. In developing countries, where universal access to health care is yet to be achieved, self-medication is one of the common and preferred modes resorted by the patients. Self-medication can lead to interaction between drugs which would be prevented, had the patient sought care from a licensed medical practitioner. At the community level, improper self-medication could result in an increase in drug-induced disease and in wasteful public expenditure. Self-medication among future health care professionals can represent a serious threat to professionalism in medicine and it has potential to put at risk public trust into this profession. Self-medication is an important health issue. Health education of the public and regulation of pharmacies may help in limiting the self-medication practices.
Self medication, Threat, Drug, Disease, Regulation
