Self-medication improves health, cuts medical costs

"We are well equipped to stay healthy and save money," says Allison Vienings, executive director of the Self-Medication Manufacturers Association of South Africa (SMASA).

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are the leading cause of mortality in the world. From WHO's 2008 statistics, 635 South Africans per 100 000 people died from NCDs.

"Yet 80% of premature heart disease, stroke and diabetes may be prevented by using responsible self-care and the management of these non-communicable diseases through responsible self-care," continues Vienings.

"South Africans are finding it increasingly difficult to cope financially. One way to save in the current economic climate is to pay closer attention to our own health. A visit to the doctor can mean paying a rather costly consultation fee for what is often a simple diagnosis - be it a cold, the flu or a tummy bug. Add to that the potential cost of prescribed medication and suddenly there's incentive to proactively manage this element of the budget."

With a multitude of OTC medicines available worldwide, patients and consumers are ideally positioned to invest in proactive lifestyle choices and responsible self-care, which has the long-term benefits of a better quality of life and more cash.

SMASA, which represents the interests of the manufacturers of non-prescription medicines, is a strong advocate of the drive to reverse this 'invisible epidemic' and is dedicated to promoting responsible self-care and self-medication to the South African public.

South Africa is faced with many healthcare challenges that place a burden on consumers, funders and government alike. "NCDs are an under-appreciated cause of poverty and hinder the economic development of our country. As they are so often easily preventable, SMASA strives to communicate the value of responsible self-care and self-medication to health professionals, health authorities and the public. Through an awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, coupled with proactive self-care, we believe that the burden of long-term healthcare costs can be delayed and ultimately reduced."

Self-care

Self-care means the steps we take for ourselves every day to stay healthy and take care of minor or long-term conditions, based on our own knowledge, available information and professional advice.

This involves making healthy lifestyle choices such as getting enough exercise, healthy eating, responsible self-medication and avoiding risky behaviours like smoking.

"Studies show that there is a dire shortage of doctors in South Africa. People therefore with effective self-care behaviour and knowledge are able to make confident decisions about their health and do not visit their doctor unnecessarily. The benefits of increased self-care to society are empowered patients with higher self-esteem, improved wellness, longer life expectancy and the cost saving (both public and private) resulting from the reduced use of healthcare services."

Consult pharmacists

Non-prescription or over-the-counter medicines are tools to support self-care, which can be purchased without a prescription from a doctor and are safe and effective for use as directed on the label. Used responsibly, they will save time, money and treat conditions sooner.

"By being vigilant about making healthy lifestyle choices, using all medicines responsibly, recognising when you do need to see a doctor or if speaking to your local pharmacist or nurse is sufficient, and using self-monitoring and self-management, you will reap the benefits of self-care - both health-wise and financially.

"Most OTC medicines are available only in a pharmacy and a pharmacist is always on hand to offer professional advice. SMASA encourages the consumer to engage with the pharmacist in their quest for improved overall health."

More about OTC management

Reading the label - Consumers are spoilt for choice as there is a growing choice of non-prescription, OTC medicines to treat an expanding range of ailments including certain chronic conditions such as asthma. Some can treat conditions like acne, prevent diseases like athlete's foot and, with a doctor's guidance, help manage recurring conditions like yeast infections, headaches and minor pain from arthritis. With this choice comes the responsibility to become better informed about self-care. By being an informed consumer and being involved in your healthcare, you can decrease your medicine's risks and side effects, and increase the benefits while also making choices that are more informed.

Benefits:

• Self-medication might reduce the need for medicine through informed and responsible assessment.
  
• Self-medication may reduce the burden on the government by reducing the frequency of unnecessary doctor visitations by the consumer.
  
• Self-medication can be safe if people are well informed.

Dangers to self-medication:

• Inadequate knowledge about medicine including local culture barriers
  
• Self-medication might delay treatment of serious conditions

Common over-the-counter medicines include:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (proven effective in helping people to quit smoking)
  
• Low-dose aspirin (proven effective in reducing the incidence of second heart attack)
  
• Calcium supplementation (proven effective in reducing the incidence of osteoporosis in older women)
  
• Medicated mouthwashes (for prevention of dental cavities, the most widespread of all non-communicable diseases)
  
• Eye drops for conjunctivitis
  
• Anti-allergy - oral and topical for hay fever and allergic rhinitis (nose sprays)
  
• Painkillers for aches and pains
  
• Electrolytes for dehydration
  
• Cough and cold preparations for symptoms of colds and flu
  
• Anti-diarrhoeal
  
• Topical preparations for muscular pain and inflammation
  
• Laxatives

Ten facts about non-prescription medicines:

• They are medicines that you can purchase without a prescription from a doctor.
  
• They are as strictly regulated as prescription medicines. They in fact have to meet standards for consumer use, in particular about their labelling and packaging.
  
• They are approved as safe and effective for use as directed on the label.
  
• Most non-prescription medicines are available only from a pharmacy, which ensures greater control and comes with a pharmacist being on hand to offer professional advice and guidance.
  
• When patients and consumers have the initiative for their own treatment, they are in a better position to take charge of their health.
  
• In the US, a consumer survey found that 65% of people wish that some of the prescription medicines they take would be made available without a prescription.
  
• More than 200 ingredients are available for use without a prescription. Non-prescription medicines come in different forms such as pills, capsules, liquids, creams, gels and patches. In total, there are over 100 000 non-prescription medicines available worldwide for patients and consumers.
  
• Non-prescription medicines can be used in many different situations. They can be used for acute symptoms, for chronic conditions or for minor ailments.
  
• Of all the medicines that are nowadays available without a prescription, many would have been considered in the past as unsuitable for use in self-medication.
  
• Self-care and self-medication with non-prescription medicines is the most prevalent form of medical care in the world.

For more information, go to www.smasa.cc.