Abstract

Kartikey Pathak*, Irfanul Haque, Sarita Jangra Bhyan, Anjali and Purna Atray

ABSTRACT

Self-medication can be defined as taking and consuming drugs without physician’s advice for prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment. Self-medication is widely practiced in urban as well as in rural population including developing countries like India because OTC medications are dispensed without prescription as it provides low-cost alternative for people. A cross-sectional, observational study was designed based on a self administered questionnaire which was designed by Google forms. From 216 respondents, 142 (65.74%) practiced self-medication in last 6 months out of which 35 were females and 107 were males. About 108 (50%) respondents have self-medicated themselves with an antibiotic. About 166 (76.85%) respondents agree that self medication is harmful where as 50 (23.15%) disagree from this fact. 175(81.02%) people think that OTC medications are effective and 130(60.19%) think that they are safe. People are well known about the consequences of self medication but still they self-medicate themselves for their convenience. Self-medication is a boon as well as a curse to the society.