Pharmacists have advised the public to desist from self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Self-medication refers to the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed symptoms, disorders or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms.
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.
There have been growing concerns over the rising rate of self-medication amongst Nigerians since the pandemic. Many Nigerians have resorted to self-medication for different ailments, and for protection against COVID-19 instead of accessing medical care at health facilities.
Experts said self-medication could trigger other medical problems such as drug abuse, further medical complications and poisoning.
Pharmacist Abdul Lateef Adebayo said he always advise patients to visit the hospital or any laboratory for a proper test and checkup whenever they come to his pharmacy to get drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
Another pharmacist, Moses Odey, said some patients, for fear of being diagnosed of COVID-19, prescribe drugs for themselves.
He said it was best for people to go to the hospital or see their doctor in this era of COVID-19, rather than self-medicate.
Pharmacist Muhammed Hashim on his part said some people do not see health as a priority even when they have the money and therefore resort to self-medication.
He called on government to increase efforts in sensitizing the public on the dangers of self-medication in other to save more lives.
