Title: Self-medication practices among patients presenting to Medicine OPD in a tertiary care hospital, AIIMS-Patna (Bihar)

Authors: Dr Gagan Gunjan, Dr Ravikirti

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i12.47

Abstract

Introduction

Generally speaking, self-medication is defined as "the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms without a valid prescription. Self-medication is a global phenomenon4. Families, friends, neighbours, the pharmacist, previous prescribed drugs, or suggestions from an advertisement in newspapers or popular magazines are common sources of self‑medications. Major problems related to self‑medication are wastage of resources, increased resistance of pathogens and it causes serious health hazards such as adverse reaction and prolonged suffering. Antimicrobial resistance is a current problem world‑wide particularly in developing countries where antibiotics are available without any prescription. In India, it is very common to see self‑medication practice and is an emerging challenge to health care providers.6

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Corresponding Author

Dr Gagan Gunjan

M.D. Gen. Medicine, S.R, AIIMS, Patna, India