Background: Self-medication involves the application of medicines for treating self-diagnosed conditions without prior consultation with a health professional. Pharmacy students, based on their knowledge of pharmacology, find themselves in a unique position relative to self-medication research. Although the information they possess is viewed as a facilitator in making well-informed drug choices, it may also instil excessive confidence leading to irrational decisions. A comprehensive overview of the global extent of self-medication is a prerequisite for developing effective preventive strategies.
Purpose: To summarize and assess scientific literature regarding the prevalence, trends, determinants, drug categories, risks, and awareness of self-medication behaviors among pharmacy students and other health sciences students across the globe.
Methods: A comprehensive literature review was carried out in PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect from January 2003 to December 2024, adhering to the PRISMA 2020 criteria. Specific Boolean search terms were used in all the databases. Selection of the studies was done independently by both the authors using two-step screening. The quality of the studies was assessed using the modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale for cross-sectional studies. Regional weighted prevalence was determined by weighing the prevalence of each included study with their corresponding sample size. Meta-analysis could not be done due to high heterogeneity among the methodology used.
Results: A total of 626 records were identified; after removal of 214 duplicates and two-stage screening, 45 studies met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of self-medication among pharmacy and health science students ranged from 60.4% (UAE) to 92.1% (India), with regional median estimates of approximately 80% in Asia, 72% in Africa, 75% in the Middle East, and 82% in Europe. The sample-size weighted regional averages were about 78% (Asia), 70% (Africa), 73% (Middle East), and 81% (Europe). Analgesics/antipyretics were the most commonly self-medicated drug class (>90% of studies), followed by antibiotics without prescription (35%–65%). The most frequently cited reason for self-medication was the perception of having a minor, self-limiting illness. Approximately 15%–30% of self-medicating students experienced at least one adverse drug reaction (ADR).
Conclusions: Self-medication is a widespread and multi-faceted phenomenon among pharmacy students globally, with antibiotic misuse as the most significant public health concern. Rational drug use education, antibiotic stewardship, digital health literacy, and pharmacovigilance training should be systematically integrated into pharmacy curriculum worldwide.
Ashutosh Rana, Tushar Kanti Das, and Ravikant Gupta. Global Prevalence and Patterns of Self-Medication Practices among Pharmacy Students: A Comprehensive Literature Review.
. 2025, 13, 75-87
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