Self-medication: Difference between revisions

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'''Self-medication''' is a growing trend reflecting various the evolution of various societal factors.
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* Pharmacists' anxieties about increased responsibility
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'''Self-medication''' is a growing trend reflecting an evolution of various societal factors. The definition of self-medication is closely dependent on the definition of a [[drug]]: the public can not only use [[over-the-counter drugs | over-the-counter (OTC) drugs]], but also so-called natural health remedies, which are not necessarily treated as medications due to their generally different safety profile.
Likewise, although the decision to accept the OTC distribution of a drug depends on several factors (see box), basic considerations must include safety, efficacy and feasability (the person must be able to [[Self-prescribing | self-prescribe]] without undue risk of misdiagnosis).
'''''(in progress)'''''




==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|2}}

Revision as of 13:35, 25 January 2008

Factors promoting and inhibiting the reclassification of drugs to pharmacy status (from: Blenkinsopp & Bradley. (1996) Over the Counter Drugs: Patients, society, and the increase in self medication[1])

Promoters:

  • Patient empowerment (increase in the autonomy ethic)
  • Rise of consumerism
  • Decreasing power of the professions
  • Changing balance of power within the professions
  • Pharmacists' drive to extend their role
  • Government policy to contain the NHS drugs bill
  • Possible influence of (other) health care systems
  • Pharmaceutical companies' wish to protect profits

Inhibitors:

  • Professionals' protection of their domain
  • Doubts about patients' competence in self care
  • Pharmacists' anxieties about increased responsibility

Self-medication is a growing trend reflecting an evolution of various societal factors. The definition of self-medication is closely dependent on the definition of a drug: the public can not only use over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, but also so-called natural health remedies, which are not necessarily treated as medications due to their generally different safety profile.

Likewise, although the decision to accept the OTC distribution of a drug depends on several factors (see box), basic considerations must include safety, efficacy and feasability (the person must be able to self-prescribe without undue risk of misdiagnosis).

(in progress)


References

  1. Blenkinsopp A, Bradley C (1996). "Patients, society, and the increase in self medication". BMJ 312: 629–32. PMID 8595343.