Self-medication among Indian medical undergraduates: Knowledge, attitude, practice and impact of teaching pharmacology

Abstract

Self-medication is a common public health concern, and medical students are particularly prone to it because of their medical knowledge and easy access to medications. Therefore, it is of interest to assess the prevalence, pattern, knowledge and attitudes regarding self-medication among 294 Indian medical students. Overall, 76.9% of students’ practised self-medication, with a higher prevalence among first-year students; analgesics and antipyretics were the most commonly used drugs, while antibiotic self-medication was more frequent among first-year students. Minor illnesses such as cough and the common cold were the main reasons for self-medication, with family and friends being the primary sources of information and pharmacies the main source of medicines. Thus, data show that pharmacology education may promote more rational medication practices, particularly by reducing inappropriate antibiotic use, highlighting the need for educational interventions to encourage responsible self-medication.