OTC DRUGS

Self-medication is a human behavior in which an individual uses a substance or any exogenous influence to self-administer treatment for physical or psychological ailments. The most widely self-medicated substances are over-the-counter (OTC) drugs used to treat common health issues at home, as well as dietary supplements.

Self-medication is highly regulated in much of the world and many classes of drugs are available for administration only upon prescription by licensed medical personnel. However, self medicating is a very common practice in Iran, not only in OTC drugs but also in prescription-only drugs, unfortunately.

The common practice of requesting and obtaining prescription-only drugs without a prescription in Iran, especially among persons with medical insurance, warrants research to identify the motives for this behavior and to improve the enforcement of existing laws regarding the dispensing of prescription-only drugs.

“Prescription and Nonprescription Drug Use in Isfahan, Iran: An Observational, Cross-Sectional Study” is one of the few articles in this regard published in Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental. This research is a case study of one of the major cities in Iran. Yet, it can be applied to all.

Follow the following link to read the full text:

Zargarzadeh, Amir H et al. “Prescription and nonprescription drug use in isfahan, Iran: An observational, cross-sectional study” Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental vol. 69,1 (2008): 76-87.