Exploring the Causes and Consequences of Misuse of Over-the-

Counter Medications Among Adults in Barangay Salog, Goa

Camarines Sur

Background of the Study

People have relied on traditional healers, home medicines, and old medicinal knowledge
for ages to solve their overall well-being and health issues. The practice of self-medication is
common in developing nations. Self-medication procedure involves the consumption of over-
the-counter drugs. Over-the-counter drugs is also known as the OTC and considered as non-
prescription drug. Over-the-counter medications, are any drugs that can be legally obtained
without a prescription from a licensed medical practitioner. Overall, OTC drugs are used to treat
conditions that do not require immediate medical treatment or monitoring, and they must be
demonstrated to be generally effective and well- tolerated.

According to Rajith et al., (2012), unregulated or unrestricted access to over-the-counter

drugs is a leading source of misuse. Furthermore, it is commonly abused in developing countries
due to lack of awareness, exposure to medical information, insufficient facilities, and a lack of
laws and regulations. Despite the fact that OTC drugs are often misused and have side effects,
the number of customers and frequency of consumption are growing.

OTCs are easily accessible, giving the misleading impression that they are not hazardous.
Thus, the widespread use of over-the-counter medicines among patients may increase their
addiction risk. As a result, people grow casual about how to use these drugs and ignore the
recommendations provided on the labels. Lack of awareness for the indications of an OTC can
lead to inadvertent abuse which can be fatal. Not knowing the components and mechanisms of
action of OTCs can lead to their unintended usage.

The practice of self-medication are often referred to as non-prescription medications or

over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. This type of medication can be obtained from pharmacies and are
also readily accessible from retail or convenience stores in multiple nations (Morgan et al., 2022)
Based on the study of Ruiz, 2010, self-medication is far from risk-free, especially if it is not done
appropriately. Self-medication can lead to medication errors such as wrong diagnosis, wrong
route, wrong patient, wrong dosage form, wrong dose, and wrong drug, as well as dependence
and misuse. Proper self-medication presents several benefits, including increased medication
accessibility and comfort, patient involvement in treatment, better utilization of physicians' and
pharmacists' expertise, and reduced reliance on authorities for minor ailments.

Since pharmacists are so readily available they often serve as the primary line of contact
for patients and have the chance to explain and advise them regarding the appropriate OTC
medication use. A pharmacist's presence together with other allied healthcare professionals
guarantees the safe and effective use of over-the-counter drugs. However, a pharmacist usually
finds himself undervalued in this role. Pharmacists play a crucial role in assisting patients.
Raising awareness about the detrimental effects of self-medication is the most effective strategy
to address this issue. It should be a vital part of a health care professional's role. Educating the
general public on how to self-medicate is an important step toward reducing the likelihood of
people misusing or abusing over-the-counter medicines. Individuals who depend solely on
themselves for treatment are at risk for a more severe ailment. They simply relieve the
symptoms, perhaps enabling the underlying disease to progress to a severe or fatal stage
(Magendran et.,al 2019). The management of over-the-counter drugs, particularly those with
misuse potential, is crucial in today's healthcare system. To prevent over-the-counterdrug abuse,
it's crucial to maintain a balance between providing access to treatment and reducing the risk of
reliance. Data collection and reporting for OTC medication misuse can be standardized, with
specific reporting guidelines for drug misuse, abuse, and dependence.

Interventions aimed at improving accessibility and cost-effectiveness may influence

people's attitudes concerning over-the-counter medicine use, and paying attention during drug
administration could potentially decrease the risk of OTC medication misuse.