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BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie

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professional, or they may have few or no other options. Self medication<br />

can be very dangerous for the health of people, because of <strong>de</strong>laying of<br />

professional aid, addiction, adverse effects of substance consumed. In<br />

condition when there is evi<strong>de</strong>nce that consumer can and do practice selfmedication,<br />

which can be harmful, the obligation of governments is to<br />

elaborate a responsible framework for self-medication.<br />

In this circumstance The World Medical Association (WMA) has<br />

<strong>de</strong>veloped the statement to provi<strong>de</strong> guidance to physicians and their<br />

patients regarding responsible self-medication. This statement is adopted<br />

by the 53rd WMA General Assembly, Washington, DC, USA, October<br />

2002.<br />

1. Distinction between Self-Medication and Prescription<br />

Medicines<br />

a. Medicinal products can generally be divi<strong>de</strong>d into two separate<br />

categories: prescription and non-prescription medicines. This classification<br />

may differ from country to country. The national authorities must assure<br />

that medicines, categorized as non-prescription medicines, are sufficiently<br />

safe not to be harmful to health.<br />

b. Prescription medicines are those which are only available to<br />

individuals on prescription from a physician following a consultation.<br />

Prescription medicines are not safe for use except un<strong>de</strong>r the supervision of<br />

a physician because of toxicity, other potential or harmful effects (e.g.<br />

addictiveness), the method of use, or the collateral measures necessary for<br />

use.<br />

c. Responsible self-medication, as used in this document, is the<br />

use of a registered or monographed medicine legally available without a<br />

physician’s prescription, either on an individual’s own initiative or<br />

following advice of a healthcare professional. The use of prescription<br />

medicines without a prior medical prescription is not part of responsible<br />

self-medication.<br />

d. The safety, efficacy and quality of non-prescription medicines<br />

must be proved according to the same principles as prescription medicines.<br />

2. Use of Self-Medication in conjunction with Prescription<br />

Medication<br />

A course of treatment may combine self-medication and<br />

prescription medication, either concurrently or sequentially. The patient<br />

must be informed about possible interactions between prescription<br />

medicines and non-prescription medicines. For this reason the patient<br />

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