What Are the Dangers of Self-Medicating?

Self-medication refers to the proper use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines without the guidance of a doctor or other medical staff to relieve mild and short-term symptoms or discomfort, or to treat minor Disease ^[1] . Medicines are a special kind of commodity. Reasonable use can help health, and irrational use can affect health and even endanger life.

Self-medication is to change the traditional concept of relying on the state to implement health care, and let the view of "large disease go to hospital, small disease go to pharmacy", and it is deeply rooted ^[2] .

Chinese name: Self-medication

Foreign name: self-medication

Incidence of self-medication

Incidence of self-medication abroad

Studies have shown that the status of self-medication is widespread around the world, and the self-medication rates vary widely in different regions. According to literature reports, Ethiopia's self-medication rate is about 39%, of which 80.6% said they did not know the potential harm of self-medication without the advice of a doctor. Self-medicine purchases accounted for 26.2% of Portuguese drugstore consumers; 21.5% of rural drugstore purchases included self-medicine purchases. A survey in the UK found that 93% had pain experience 1 month before the survey, and 1/3 of them used over-the-counter analgesics on their own. The self-medication rate in Jordan is 42.5%; the self-medication rate in Mexico is 53% of the consumed drugs; the self-medication rate in Chile is as high as 75%. A survey in Sudan showed that 81.8% of people self-medicated without medical consultation 2 months before the survey. The incidence of self-medication varies from country to country, but it can still be seen that no matter in developed or developing countries, self-medication is a more common self-medical behavior.

Domestic self-medication rates

China's 2003 "Deep Research Report on Consumer Drug Buying Behavior and Influencing Factors" shows that about 82.5% of consumers have experienced buying drugs in pharmacies. The data of the 3rd National Health Service Survey released by the Ministry of Health of China in December 2004 showed that the proportion of residents who had not seen a new case within 2 weeks was 48.9%, of which 73.0% were self-medicated patients; the 4th time was issued in 2009 Survey data show that the proportion of patients who did not visit the clinic was 38.0%, of which 70.0% were self-medicated. A survey of pharmacy consumers found that when people are uncomfortable, more than 50% choose self-medication. Another survey on the medication status of residents within 1 month showed that 63.6% had taken self-medication without going to the hospital. In February 2011, the China Over-the-Counter Drug Association published the first report on the Awareness Survey of Chinese Analgesics OTC Drugs. The report pointed out that about 70% of families in China have problems with inappropriate self-medication and the incidence of unreasonable drug use. 12% to 32%, all of which reflect the lack of self-medication knowledge of Chinese residents, and have caused many tragedies that should not have occurred. With the development of China's market economy, the reform and improvement of the over-the-counter drug system, and the improvement of residents' cultural level, people's awareness of self-care is getting stronger and stronger. However, it cannot be denied that the drug knowledge of Chinese residents is still quite lacking, which makes self-medication with greater risks ^[3] .

The benefits of self-medication

(1) The situation of drug use for the entire population can be improved, and the public has more and more convenient health care opportunities

The public obtains information on health care and medication through community health care service systems, mass media, the Internet, and over-the-counter drug advertisements. It uses self-medication to solve health and health problems, and implements fast and effective treatment of symptoms that do not require medical consultation. The relief measures are more convenient than going to the hospital for diagnosis and treatment, there is no need to register or wait, and save time and costs.

(2) Reduce the public's dependence on national medical resources and alleviate the increasing pressure on medical services

The implementation of self-medication will change the concept of people going to the hospital regardless of their size and severity, and self-medication for minor illnesses. Users can choose more relatively inexpensive over-the-counter medicines, thereby suppressing the growth of national public medical and health costs, reducing personal medical account expenditures, and achieving a reasonable allocation and optimal use of funds.

(3) Strengthen the role of community pharmacists in pharmaceutical services

Drug users will no longer be satisfied with buying medicines only at pharmacies, but hope that they can enjoy more thoughtful and detailed medication guidance and consultation services while buying medicines, and fully realize the value of "self-medication, self-care" . Therefore, in this field, pharmacists can make better use of their professional expertise to provide patients with pharmaceutical services ^[4] .

Risk factors for self-medication

Self -remedy over-the-counter drugs also have the dual nature of drugs

Over-the-counter medicines are used for self-medication. Although over-the-counter medicines are stable in quality, accurate in effect, and safe to use in daily doses, over-the-counter medicines are also drugs. In addition to their therapeutic effects, they inevitably have some potential adverse reactions or drugs Interactions; at the same time, it is not possible for all users to apply them strictly in accordance with their instructions. In 2000, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided to remove norephedrine from the over-the-counter and prescription drug inventory based on the results of a controlled study published on the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in patients using norephedrine (PPA) published by Yale University. Withdraw. Of the first 160 over-the-counter proprietary Chinese medicines published in China, 34 publicly reported adverse reactions involving 116 and 116 cases. Among the 2000 ADR reports (277 cases) reported by five hospitals in Lishui City, Zhejiang Province, there were 38 cases caused by over-the-counter drugs, accounting for 13.72% of the total ADR. These data indicate that over-the-counter drugs are not safe under all circumstances.

Self-medication users choose improperly over the counter

Some medication users cannot accurately judge what kind of illness they have, but just buy medicines based on experience, or let advertisements and relatives and friends "left and right" what medicines they use, so it may cause the medication to be wrong, the effect is not obvious after the medication, and even cause the disease to become worse Other adverse results. A Swedish pharmacy survey in 1999 showed that medication problems caused by unknown indications accounted for 33.5% of over-the-counter medication problems.

Self-medication users do not have the ability to understand the risks of over-the-counter drugs

Some users do not care about the adverse reactions of over-the-counter medicines and think that the drugs that can be purchased at will are safe. Some people even mistakenly believe that the larger the amount and the more types of medication, the better the treatment effect, so increase the amount at will Different medicines with the same kind of therapeutic effect can be used in combination or Chinese and western medicines can be combined. Some people even use over-the-counter medicines while using prescription medicines. From 1998 to 1999, a demographic survey of the United States showed that 7% of the 2,590 adult drug users used 5 or more drugs at the same time, while 16% of the prescription drug users simultaneously Botanicals or various supplements are also used. The result may be increased risk factors for medication use. The combined use of multiple drugs is difficult to avoid overlapping drug effects, which easily leads to an increase in the incidence of drug interactions, toxic side effects or accumulation of poisoning.

Self-medication users do not understand and follow the instructions

When the user does not understand or understand the drug label, instruction manual, or other knowledge, errors may occur in the dosage, usage, and treatment of the drug, such as insufficient or too large doses, incorrect application methods or time, and long treatment periods. Poor efficacy, ineffectiveness, adverse reactions or drug poisoning. Of the 653 cases of adverse reactions to anti-cold medicines investigated, the ADR-inducing drugs involved 16 anti-cold medicines, and 4 deaths were caused by overdose or prolonged use.

Self-medication is high risk for some special populations

Infants, elderly and infirm, pregnant and lactating women respond to various drugs differently from the general population due to their special physiological conditions; people with a history of drug allergy, patients with liver and kidney disease have poor tolerance to the drug and are highly sensitive The risk of medication is higher in this group of people. According to data, 141 cases of acute poisoning in children were treated with the most common poisoning substances, accounting for 36.2% of the total, of which 26 cases were caused by improper or excessive medication. The safety of pregnant women's use of over-the-counter medications also requires attention, because the drugs are often transported to the fetus via the placenta and accumulated after the drug is absorbed. Because the fetus does not have the ability to "handle" drugs, such as renal and metabolic functions, it may adversely affect fetal growth and development. There are reports in China that 11 cases of anti-cold medicine pregnant women had 5 cases of threatened abortion and 3 cases of teratosis. Some people believe that with the increasingly widespread use of over-the-counter medicines, the phenomenon of self-medication in pregnant women has an increasing trend. Although over-the-counter medicines have been considered to be safe for adults in long-term observation, their effects on the fetus have not yet been fully supported. The consequences need to be confirmed by further research.

Self-medication over -the-counter packaging, labeling, and instructions are not standardized

In 2001, China has promulgated and implemented the "Regulations on the Administration of Pharmaceutical Packaging, Labeling and Instructions", but the current implementation situation is still not optimistic. The results of two investigations on the labeling and labeling of marketed over-the-counter drugs in China show that among the non-prescription drugs investigated, the corresponding items that the labeling and labeling should have are complete. Most of the item descriptions are too simple, especially the adverse reactions and contraindications There are three items and precautions, some of which are not even mentioned. It is misleading to give consumers over-the-counter medicines as "health medicines". This makes it impossible for consumers to obtain all the information on safe medications, which lays hidden risks.

Self-healing pharmacist's pharmacy services are inadequate

One of the positive effects of self-medication is that it can promote and strengthen the role of pharmacist pharmacy services and help improve the social status of pharmacists. In the UK, 83% of general practitioners are very willing to ask patients with only minor illnesses to turn to a pharmacist, and the UK Department of Health is also very supportive of pharmacists who first take care of patients with minor illnesses. At present, there are very few professionals in China's retail pharmacies who are responsible for drug consulting services. The state has no detailed rules for the implementation of standardized management of drug consulting services, and it lacks advanced information service methods. The pharmacist's awareness of pharmacy services is weak and medical knowledge should be available. Insufficient knowledge of medical treatment and medicine, lack of accumulated experience in providing patients with medication consultation and guidance on safe medication, and cannot meet consumer demand for safe medication ^[4] .

Risk prevention of self-medication

(1) Self-medication should not be performed blindly after understanding relevant medical knowledge.

(2) Make sure that the health problems of self-medication belong to the category of self-medication.

(3) You can consult a pharmacist when choosing medicines, choose the appropriate over-the-counter medicines, and read the instructions carefully before taking the medicines.

(4) Identify the OTC logo in the upper right corner of the drug package.

(5) According to the instructions on the drug manual, after taking OTC drugs for a period of time (generally 3 to 7 days), the symptoms have not been alleviated or even worsened, and you should go to the hospital for medical treatment in time to avoid causing illness.

Self -medication

Self-medication for self-medication

The World Health Organization stipulates that adults have headaches; cough and phlegm; joint, muscle, arm pain, abdominal pain; back pain; nervousness, depression and anxiety; toe swelling, corns; colds, flu, runny nose; indigestion; insomnia; For unexplained fatigue, you can use over-the-counter medicine to self-medicate.

Diseases that are not suitable for self-medication

As the saying goes, "go to a pharmacy for a minor illness and go to the hospital for a major illness" In fact, all "critical illnesses" are not suitable for self-medication, although these diseases may themselves be common diseases in life, such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, diabetes, abnormal blood lipids, Kidney disease, etc. These "catastrophic diseases" require a specialist to give a reasonable prescription after a correct diagnosis, and the patient takes the medicine according to the doctor's prescription.

Self -medicine related magazines

"Self-medicine" magazine was founded by China Non-Prescription Drug Association. It is the first domestic health and safety medication magazine for pharmacies, communities and ordinary consumers.

Self-medicine section introduction

Planning in this issue: Key topics of the month planned around medical, health, and health knowledge in the field of self-medication

Characters: An exclusive interview with outstanding personalities in the self-medicine industry, in the form of a story, expressing the self-medication method of the interviewee, or his insights on the self-medicine industry, in order to provide readers with the correct self-medication method Development of self-medication industry.

Safe use of medicines: knowledge about safe and rational use of medicines in a popular way. Such as adverse drug reactions, side effects, drug interactions, and unreasonable medication.

Palm in the palm: Diagnosis, identification, common sense of medication, and life prevention recommendations in the common disease spectrum of pharmacies.

Celebrities talk about medicine: Well-known experts talk about drug fun, pay attention to fun, story, so that readers understand drug knowledge in easy reading.

Chronic disease management: long-term effective self-medication and health care methods for chronic diseases that belong to the category of self-medication

Prescribe the right medicine: Instruct ordinary consumers to self-diagnose according to their symptoms, and then rationally choose OTC products for self-medication. Pay attention to the practicality and understandability of readers in self-medication. You can understand it at a glance and use it at a glance.

The pharmacist is around: Planning for the health day of the month and key topics, please ask the practicing pharmacist to explain the related common knowledge of disease health care, prevention, treatment and so on.

Traditional Chinese medicine and traditional Chinese medicine: the essence of the traditional culture of the motherland, the invention stories and application stories of famous doctors and famous prescriptions.

Satsuki Medicine Box: Practicing pharmacist-Satsuki, tells you about drug application.

Buding antidote: Like "Buding Ding cattle", interpret the basic knowledge of OTC brand drugs.

Health Medicine Calendar: Reminders and health recommendations for the medication precautions for the health day of the month or high incidence of diseases. Or pharmacy-related promotions and promotions.

Angel Communication: An exchange platform for shop assistants to provide pharmaceutical services to consumers. Pay close attention to the experience and experience exchange of pharmacist services in the work of pharmacists, shop assistants, and community doctors.

Parenting: Self-medication for children of all ages with different problems.

My story: Personal classics of self-care and self-medicine, from small to big, multi-angle, multi-level analysis of self-medicine.

Medicine and food homology: It mainly introduces a kind of food, which is controlled by nutrition experts. It comprehensively and thoroughly elaborates its food therapy and health care functions, with specific methods.

Cosmeceuticals: The dissemination of cosmeceutical knowledge, methods, features, functions, advantages, brands, etc., and strive to be highly standardized in the industry.

Self-Medication Magazine Purpose

"Self-medicine" magazine upholds the purpose of responsible publication, with the goal of achieving national health, continuously disseminating self-medicine knowledge and promoting the development of China's self-medicine industry.

Basic information on self-medicine magazine

Organizer: Hubei Daily Newspaper

Unit in charge: Changjiang Publishing Media Group

Co-organizer: China OTC Drug Association

International Standard Number: ISSN1672-1489 Post Code: 38-517

Domestic unified issue number: CN42-1802 / R Retail price of RMB 12 per issue / Annual discount of RMB 120 per year

Start date: September 2009

Monthly

Publication date: 5th of every month