BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES - Universitatea de Medicină şi Farmacie
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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