Self-medication

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) 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)