![Self-Medication aggravate diseases; increases medical problems](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/08/_2/740x404/pic_1470205652.jpg)
Self-Medication Aggravate Diseases; Increases Medical Problems
Rukhshan Mir (@rukhshanmir) Published August 03, 2016 | 11:27 AM
![Self-Medication aggravate diseases; increases medical problems](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2016/08/_2/740x404/pic_1470205652.jpg)
ISLAMABAD,(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 3rd Augst,2016) : Vice Chancellor Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Javed Akram on Wednesday urged that Self-medication should be strongly discouraged as it increases the medical problems among patients. Talking to ptv news he said, strict policies needed to be implemented on the advertising and selling of medications to prevent this problem from escalating. Prevalence of self-medication is high among illiterate people, despite majority being unaware of its harmful effects, he added. "There is a need to educate the masses to ensure safe practices and media has to play key role in it", he said. While informing about its harmful effects on human body he defined it as obtaining and consuming drugs without the advice of a physician either for diagnosis, prescription or surveillance of treatment is not safe for the human health. There is much public and professional concern about the irrational use of drugs he said. The VC added that various studies have shown that self medication practices are more common in women and among those who live alone, have a lower socioeconomic status, more chronic ailments, psychiatric conditions, especially at younger age.
He said in Pakistan almost every pharmacy sells drugs without a prescription and consequently, antibiotics and potentially habit forming medicines are easily available to the common man. Most medicines had been purchased directly from pharmacies while the stock of medicines at home ranked second, he informed. He recommended that a holistic approach must be taken to prevent this problem from escalating which would involve awareness and education regarding the implications of self medication. The risks that are associated with self-medication include using inappropriate medications that cause side effects. Self-medicating is dangerous.
It can cause serious problems, so it is important to set up an appointment with a doctor when any symptoms of an illness or mental health condition occur, he advised. Antibiotics are only effective against bacterial infections and cannot help you recover from infections caused by viruses such as the common cold or the flu, he concluded.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
![Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019914.jpg)
Cricket: England v West Indies 3rd Test scoreboard
![Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on refor ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019922.jpg)
Finance minister briefs Chinese officials on reform agenda, engagement with IMF
![Finland says Russian vessel violated its territori ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019912.jpg)
Finland says Russian vessel violated its territorial waters
![Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019266.jpg)
Olympic opening ceremony under way on River Seine
![West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019264.jpg)
West Indies' treble strike rocks England in third Test
![Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murde ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019262.jpg)
Ukraine court orders detention of suspect in murder of nationalist ex-MP
![Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris ope ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019015.jpg)
Long queues, ticketing problems ahead of Paris opening ceremony
![Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inau ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019638.jpg)
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
![Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Z ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019637.jpg)
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
![Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019635.jpg)
Players unaware of spying scandal as Canada Olympic coach sent home: official
![Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fi ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019013.jpg)
Naqvi hails Pak women cricketers for going down fighting against SL
!['Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: ..](https://photo-cdn.urdupoint.com/media/2024/07/_1/235x155/pic_1722019634.jpg)
'Sabotage' on French rail network before Olympics: What we know
More Stories From Pakistan
-
NDMA Advisory: More Monsoon Rains-wind, Thundershowers from July 28-31
6 hours ago -
Armed Forces, tri services chiefs pay homage to Captain Sarwar Shaheed
6 hours ago -
Agriculture dept inks agreement with Bakhabar Kissan
6 hours ago -
Rana Sanaullah Khan joins Paris 2024 Olympics inauguration reception
7 hours ago -
Glowing tributes mark 69th birthday of President Zardari at Governor's House
7 hours ago -
Balochistan CM announce depoliticizing of police, Levies force
7 hours ago
-
PTI creating unrest, halting economic progress in country: MNA
7 hours ago -
ISSI holds webinar on “Elections in Iran : Regional and International Insights”
7 hours ago -
ECP defers written test for seats of election officers
7 hours ago -
PN assists in firefighting, evacuation efforts for stranded civilians of Kashif Centre fire incident
7 hours ago -
Women's rights protection is govt's top priority. Hina Parvez Butt
7 hours ago -
"We stand in solidarity with Azma Bokhari”: Secretary Women’s Parliamentary Caucus
7 hours ago