PREVALENCE AND PATTERN OF SELF-MEDICATION AMONG PEOPLE LIVING IN GUNTUR DISTRICT, ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA
World health Organization (WHO) has defined the self-medication as the selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-recognized illnesses or symptoms. To study the prevalence and pattern of self-medication among the people living in Guntur District, South India. This is a prospective study carried out for a period of seven months i.e. from July 2011 to March 2012 at community pharmacies located in and around Guntur district. A pilot preliminary study was conducted in 10 community pharmacies before the main research in order to check the feasibility of the study in the selected study site. The study design and sample size followed World Health Organization guidelines for investigation of therapeutic practice. Forty percent of the pharmacists told that self-medication can be practiced for minor ailments safely but 60% of them did not agree. Self-medication should not be encouraged and government should make strict regulations towards drug policies.