self medication
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199
Journal of Social and Administrali•e Pharmacy Vol. 7, No. 4, 1990
Self-Medication in
Developing
Countries
SJAA.K VAN DER GEEST*, Ph.o
ANITA HARDON, Ph.o
Department of Cultural Anthropology,
Uninmrtyof Amsterdam,
OuddjdsAchterourgu."/185,
NL-1012 OK Amsterdam. The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
This paper sketches the self-medication situation in the developing countries. From a biomedical view-point the risks that are involved in developing countries are reportedly higher than in industrialized countries. This can be related to the fact that in many developing countries prescription drugs are freely available over the counter. Drug regulations are limited or not implemented and health care is malfunctioning. The economic-infrastructural and cultural-cognitive contexts that determine differences in self-medication practices are reviewed.
Key words: Developing countries; Review; Selfmedication.
Introduction
Paper presented at the Symposium on Self-Medication Consumer Aspects, Stockholm, Sweden. April 2-1. 1990
We have come to realize that self-medication using pharmaceutical products is the "rule" rather than the exception in medical care in the industrialized countries of Europe, North
America and the Pacific. This is certainly true if we include "non-compliance" with prescriptions in the definition of self-medication. Depending on how the concept is defined and the methodology used to measure it, it is estimated that self-medication constitutes 50-90% of all therapeutic interventions.
For some observers the high prevalence of self-medication is a reason for optimism. It demonstrates the continuous growth of consumers' self-awareness and self-reliance and their escape from the dependency and aliention brought about by medicalization. It reflects, as Bezold remarks, "a new attitude toward health, including increased self-responsibility for health" [1].
Others cu:e
w_, ___
----·-·------l
199
Journal of Social and Administrali•e Pharmacy Vol. 7, No. 4, 1990
Self-Medication in
Developing
Countries
SJAA.K VAN DER GEEST*, Ph.o
ANITA HARDON, Ph.o
Department of Cultural Anthropology,
Uninmrtyof Amsterdam,
OuddjdsAchterourgu."/185,
NL-1012 OK Amsterdam. The Netherlands
ABSTRACT
This paper sketches the self-medication situation in the developing countries. From a biomedical view-point the risks that are involved in developing countries are reportedly higher than in industrialized countries. This can be related to the fact that in many developing countries prescription drugs are freely available over the counter. Drug regulations are limited or not implemented and health care is malfunctioning. The economic-infrastructural and cultural-cognitive contexts that determine differences in self-medication practices are reviewed.
Key words: Developing countries; Review; Selfmedication.
Introduction
Paper presented at the Symposium on Self-Medication Consumer Aspects, Stockholm, Sweden. April 2-1. 1990
We have come to realize that self-medication using pharmaceutical products is the "rule" rather than the exception in medical care in the industrialized countries of Europe, North
America and the Pacific. This is certainly true if we include "non-compliance" with prescriptions in the definition of self-medication. Depending on how the concept is defined and the methodology used to measure it, it is estimated that self-medication constitutes 50-90% of all therapeutic interventions.
For some observers the high prevalence of self-medication is a reason for optimism. It demonstrates the continuous growth of consumers' self-awareness and self-reliance and their escape from the dependency and aliention brought about by medicalization. It reflects, as Bezold remarks, "a new attitude toward health, including increased self-responsibility for health" [1].
Others cu:e