The advent of the global coronavirus outbreak has left a profound mark on our shared past.

During the peak of the pandemic, public health, the food system, the way of life of individuals, and the
world's economy were tested in unprecedented ways. The catastrophic effect of COVID-19 on people and
the economy is evident. Illness and mortality rates are rising all around the world. Fear and despair over
becoming infected lead to self-medication.

Based on the study of Manjil., et al 2022, self-medication has been largely driven by an urge to
prevent and manage Covid-19. As a result, there may be a false diagnosis, major side effects, drug
interactions, misuse of drugs, even bacterial resistance, irrational use of drugs, waste of resources, and
increase in polypharmacy (Mohammed Biset Ayalew, 2017). Furthermore, because the virus's symptoms
include cough, fever, lethargy, and headache, the consumption of over-the-counter drugs soared
tremendously during the pandemic. (Meslamani et al., 2023).

Over-the-counter drugs are also known as the OTC or nonprescription drug. Non-prescription
drugs are any drugs that can be legally obtained without a prescription from a licensed medical
practitioner. 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. They simply
relieve the symptoms, perhaps enabling the underlying disease to progress to a severe or fatal stage
(Magendran et.,al 2019).

According to Doomra, Reena et al., 2020, the most prevalent medical conditions for which people
self-medicate are headache, joint pain, fever, cough, cold, allergy, heartburn, and diarrhoea. This type of
medication can be obtained from pharmacies and is also readily accessible from retail or convenience
stores in multiple nations (Justin Cobbold et al.,2022) giving the misleading impression that they are
unlikely to have serious side effects (Aron F et al., 2016). Inappropriate self-medication with over-the-
counter (OTC) medications may lead to adverse effects (including fatalities), most notably for patients
with comorbidities, pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, and people at extremes of age ( Gauri H Kasabe
et al., 2015).

Individuals often seek advice from friends and relatives to acquire knowledge regarding drug
therapy (Abhigan Babu Shrestha et al., 2022), which can lead to inadvertent misuse and abuse. (Eyob et
al., 2015). Additionally, based on the study of Chun-Hsien Lee et al., 2017 numerous factors can
contribute to self-medication, such as illiteracy, peer pressure, media and advertisement, self-assurance, in
ability to comprehend drugs, and advice from friends and family. However, poverty and the convenience
with which medications can be obtained through establishments without prescriptions are the main
causes. Low income families are more likely to self-medicate because they lack the means to pay for
medical services (Mekonnen Sisay et al., 2018).

A pharmacist's presence together with other allied healthcare professionals guarantees the safe
and effective use of over-the-counter drugs. However, a pharmacist has traditionally been undervalued in
this role (Sujit S Sansgiry et at., 2016). Pharmacists play a crucial role in assisting patients as they serve
as the primary line of contact for patients, they have the chance to explain and advise them regarding the
appropriate OTC medication use. Raising awareness about the detrimental effects of self-medication is
the most effective strategy to address this issue. 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.
In today's healthcare system, controlling OTC medications is essential, especially for those with the
potential for abuse. Establishing a balance between minimizing the danger of dependence and increasing
access to health care is necessary in preventing misuse of nonprescription drugs. Detailed reporting
guidelines for drug misuse, abuse, and dependency can be implemented to regulate data collecting and
reporting on OTC medication misuse. According to Abhigan Babu Shrestha et al., 2022 the prevalence of
OTC misuse, led to an urgent need to govern and regulate acceptable self-medication activities through
stringent rules and collaboration with medical professionals and legislators. Beyond that, extensive public
health awareness campaigns, effective medicine distribution, monitoring, and legal processes against
medical negligence should be prioritized. Pharmaceutical counselling ( Wuraola Akande-Sholabi et al.,
2023) and providing a cost-effective program is a promising technique for preventing these incidents and
will be beneficial to everyone in the years to come (Abhigan Babu Shrestha et al., 2022).

Abhigan Babu Shrestha et al, (2022). The scenario of self-medication practices during the covid-19
pandemic; a systematic review https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104482
Tewodros Eyob et al., (2015). Understanding towards non-prescription medicines among jimma town
drug retail outlets’ customers, Ethiopia from Vol. 5. No.01 ISSN 2307-2083

Meslamani et al., (2023). Medication errors during a pandemic: what have we learnt?
https://doi.org/10.1177%2F00185787231158777
Sujit S Sansgiry et al., (2016). Abuse of over-the-counter medicines: a pharmacist's perspective
https://doi.org/10.2147/iprp.s103494
Mohammed Biset Ayalew, (2017). Patient safety attitudes of pharmacy students in an Ethiopian
university: a cross-sectional studyhttps://doi.org/10.2147/DHPS.S128137

Gauri H Kasabe et al., (2015). Safety risks of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and their management.
http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/2319-5886.2015.00161.7
Aron F et al., (2016). Safety risks of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and their management.
https://europepmc.org/article/med/29870601
Doomra, Reena et al., (2020). NSAIDs and self-medication: A serious concern doi:
10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_201_20
Chun-Hsien Lee et al., (2017). Inappropriate self-medication among adolescents and its association with
lower medication literacy and substance use DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189199
Mekonnen Sisay et al., (2018).Epidemiology of self-medication in Ethiopia: a systematic review and
meta-analysis of observational studies DOI: 10.1186/s40360-018-0248-8
Wuraola Akande-Sholabi et al., (2023). Self-medication with over-the-counter drugs among consumers: a
cross-sectional survey in a Southwestern State in Nigeria doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-072059