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 around the world 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 or
nonprescription drug. Non-prescription, drugs, also known as 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.

OTCs are easily accessible, giving the misleading impression that they are not hazardous.
Individuals often seek advice from friends and relatives or utilize the web to acquire knowledge
regarding drug therapy. People who are unaware of the implications of irrational drug use may
abuse and misuse non-prescription drugs. 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)

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.

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

Despite the situation, there is 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 through multiple means,
effective medicine distribution, monitoring, and legal processes against medical negligence
should be prioritized.
 Providing widely accessible to a credible source of information about medication use
may reduce the misuse of OTC medications. Thus, patient education 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.

Significance of the Study

The research presented here provides pertinent information that may be beneficial to
society, legislators, healthcare practitioners, and future researchers. This study contributes to
the body of knowledge on self-medication and the use of over-the-counter pharmaceuticals by
informing and providing quality healthcare services in areas where resources are scarce, and
the necessity of focusing and valuing treatments cannot be stressed.
This could benefit healthcare practitioners and lawmakers in better understanding the
real-life situations influencing over-the-counter self-medication. It has the ability to boost
health promotion efforts and encourage policy changes. Regardless the establishment of
national health policies and a revision plan with wide-ranging goals concerning improving the
quality of medical care and services through cost-effective health management systems and
improvements, there has been no progress to improve the well-being of individuals confined in
a recurrent cycle of poverty and deteriorating health. This may be beneficial to medical
professionals and lawmakers to better understand the real-life situations affecting non-
prescription self-medication. Furthermore, it has the potential to strengthen health promotion
activities and urge legislative reforms.

In addition, this is designed to broaden and enlighten citizens about the proper use of
medical and health-care services offered by licensed medical experts. Thus, will help diminish
the misuse and abuse of over-the-counter drugs.

This study may provide crucial information for developing research topics that will be
crucial to researchers passionate about health and social welfare issues.
References:

Anthony Kwame Morgan, J. Cobbold ( 2021, July 21). An integrative review of the prevalence,
patterns and predictors of self-medication in Ghana from:
https://doi.org/10.1080/27707571.2022.2098567

Tejasvi.P.K, J. Magendran. (2019, March 19) A Study of Over-The-Counter (OTC) Drug Usage
Pattern among the Patients attending a Medical College Hospital from:

https://doi.org/10.37506/mlu.v20i3.1398

Shrestha, Abhigan Babu, Aryal, Manji et.,al (2022, October) The scenario of self-medication
practices during the covid-19 pandemic; a systematic review from:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104482