This study surveyed self-medication practices among 100 pharmacy students in Satara, India. The results found that 92% of students who reported illness in the last 6 months practiced self-medication using over-the-counter drugs like NSAIDs, anti-allergics, and antacids. The top reasons for self-medication were for non-serious illnesses (49.47%) and prior experience (28.42%). Information sources for self-medication included reading materials (45.26%) and advice from others (33.68%). The study provides insight into common self-medication behaviors and information sources among pharmacy students in India.

2. “A SURVEY ON SELF MEDICATION PRACTICES
AMONG PHARMACY STUDENTS IN SATARA
COLLEGE OF PHARMACY, SATARA”
By
Mr. BIRUDEV BAPU KALE
B. PHARM (SEM-VIII)
Under the guidance of
Asstt. Prof. Mrs. A. K. SALUNKHE
M. PHARM (PHARMACEUTICS)

3. CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Need of present a Survey
3. Objectives
4. Review of Literature
5. Methodology
6. Result & Discussion
7. Conclusions
8. REFERENCES

4. Introduction
 Definition of self medication:
 The selection and use of medicines by individuals to treat self-
recognized illnesses or symptoms.
 Advantages of Self Medication:
 Time saving.
 Convenient.
 Enable patients to control their own chronic conditions.
 Economical.
 Useful for mild illness.
 Reduce the pressure on medical services where health care
personnel are insufficient.

5.  Disadvantages of Self Medication:
Adverse Drug Reactions.
Lack of knowledge about dose.
Chances of using wrong medication.
Risk of disease aggravation.
 Drug interactions.

6. Common drugs used for Self Medication:
Sr. No. Drug / drug group Brand names
1 Analgesics Saridon
Disprin
2 Antipyretics Calpol
Crocin
3 D cold total
Cough Preparations Glycodin
Corex
Benadryl
4 Antibiotics Amoxil
Trimox
5 Anti-allergics Levorid
Cetzine
6 Gelusil
Antacids Rantac
Zinetac

7. NEED OF PRESENT A SURVEY:
 In economically deprived countries most episodes of
illness are treated by self-medication. In a number of
developing countries many drugs are dispensed over the
counter without medical supervision. In this case, self-
medication provides a lower cost-alternative for people
who cannot afford the cost of clinical service.

8. Objectives
 To assess the self-medication practice.
 To assess common types of illnesses.
 To identify frequently used drugs and
determinants of self-medication.

9. REVIEW OF LITERATURE:
 Verma Rohit K. et. al., (2010) studied self medication among
professional students in North India. Samples of 1175 young
students belonging to different regions of North India were
selected randomly from two institutions of U. P. Technical
University.
 Widayati Aris et.al., (2011) studied self medication with
antibiotics in Yogyakarta City Indonesia. A total of 559
questionnaires were analyzed (response rate = 90%).

10. METHODOLOGY
 Study site:
Study was carried out in Satara College of Pharmacy, Satara. It is the
health professional training institute in Satara. It was established in
1999. The college is a pioneer in training Health Professionals. Since
then, the college is expanding its scope of activities and currently it is
training students in Pharmacy Profession.
 Study population:
The cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 volunteers
(students and teaching staff) taken as a sample from a total of 500
volunteers (students and teaching staff) in Satara College of
Pharmacy Satara. A random sampling method was used to choose
the respective number of volunteers (students and teachers).

11. Data collection and analysis:
A study with six month illness recall was conducted.
The pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire was prepared. Data was collected
from January 15 to February 21, 2012. The study subjects were informed that the
information collected would be anonymous; and participation would be totally
voluntary. The age, sex, and year of study were noted. The information regarding
the type of medication, illness for which the medication was used and the reason
for not consulting a doctor was collected. The pattern of drug use over a six-
month period preceding the study was noted. Their attitude toward self-
medication and source of information for those who practiced self-medication
were also recorded. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel and the results
were presented using absolute figures and percentages.

12. Questionnaire:
1. Demographic data:
Gender
Age
Class
2. How many minutes of walking does it take for you to reach the nearest health
post or medical store?
3. How many episodes of illness have you had in the preceding six months?
4. What were the main symptoms of your illness?
5. Were there any associated complaints?
6. Have you used medicines on your own without consulting a doctor in the
preceding six months?
7. What type of medicine(s) did you use? Please give their Brand name(s).
8. What was your main reason for not consulting a doctor?
9. If you were not recovered by above medicine, have you consulted a Physician
in the preceding six months?

13. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

14. Demographic characteristics of volunteers who reported illness in the last
six months in Satara college of Pharmacy, Satara, in 2011:
Sr. Percentage
Variable Frequency
No. (%)
Sex
1 Male (n = 53) 53 53
Female (n = 47) 47 47
Age
2 18-20 23 23
21 – 24 (n = 57) 57 57
25 and above 20 20
Year
3
B. Pharm I year (n = 2) 02 02
B. Pharm II year (n = 6) 06 06
B. Pharm III year (n = 12) 12 12
B. Pharm IV year (n = 45) 45 45
I year Diploma(n=3) 03 03
07
II year Diploma(n=7) 07
M. Pharm (n=10) 10 10
Teaching staff
15
(n = 15) 15

15. Frequency of reported symptoms / disease:
Sr. No. Type of
symptoms/ Frequency Percentage (%)
diseases
1 Fever / Headache
53 53
/ Body ache
2 Cough and
12 12
Common cold
3 Hyperacidity 27 27
4 Diarrhea/
4 4
Dysentery
5 Eye/ Ear/ Skin
4 4
infections

16. Measures taken by students who reported an illness:
Sr. No.
Measure
Drug source Frequency Percentage
taken
(%)
Pharmacy or
1 Visiting drug shop with 5 5
physician prescription
Pharmacy or
2 Self- drug shop 92 92
medication without
prescription
Drugs left
over from 3 3
prior use

17. Drugs or drug groups used by the volunteers for self-medication:
Sr. No. Drugs/drug
Frequency Percentage (%)
groups
1 NSAIDs 39 41.05
2 Anti-allergics 17 17.89
3 Anti-tussives 4 4.21
4 Antacids 22 23.15
5 Eye/ Ear drops 2 2.10
6 Anti-amoebics 2 2.10
7 Anti-biotics 9 9.47

18. Factors for self-medication:
Sr. No. Reason Frequency Percentage (%)
1 Prior
27 28.42
experience
2 Non-serious
47 49.47
illness
3
Emergency use 10 10.52
4 Cost-
11 11.57
effectiveness

19. Information source for those who practiced self-medication:
Sr. No. Information Percentage
Frequency
source (%)
1 Reading
43 45.26
material
2 Advice from
32 33.68
pharmacist
3 Advice from
14 14.73
friend
4
Others 6 6.31

20. Attitude of volunteers toward self medication practice:
Sr. No. Attitude Frequency Percent(%)
1
Agree 91 91
2
Disagree 05 5
3 Others (no
04 4
comment)

21. CONCLUSIONS
Students in Satara College of Pharmacy Satara,
95%, practiced self-medication. NSAIDs
(e.g.Paracetamol) were the drugs most commonly
used. Prescription drugs such as antibiotics were
involved in self-medication practice. Prior
experience and non-seriousness of the illness
were the most common reasons for self-
medication. Although the self-medication practice
is inevitable; drug authorities and health
professionals need to educate students about the
pros and cons of self medication

22. REFERENCES:
 World Health Organization. The Role of pharmacist in Heath Care
System; 1998. Available from:
http://www.apps.who.int/medicinedocs/en/d/Jwhozip32e
 Shankar PR, Partha P, Shenoy N. Self-medication and non-doctor
prescription practices in Pokhara valley, Western Nepal: A
questionnaire-based study. BMC Fam Pract. 2002; 3:17.
 Mandavi Pramil Tiwarl and Vinay Kapur. Indian J. Pharm .pract1 (1),
Oct-Dec, 2008
 V. D. Phalke, D. B. Phalke, P. M. Durgawale. Indian Journal of
Community Medicine Vol31, No.1, Jan-Mar, 2006.
 Greenhalgh T. Drug prescription and self-medication in India: an
exploratory survey. Soc Sci Med. 1987; 25:307–318. doi:
10.1016/0277-9536(87)90233-4.
 Sharma HB, Gautam RP, Vaidya S., Eds. District development profile
of Nepal. Kathmandu, Informal sector research and study center.
2001.

23. THANK YOU!