The Role of Pharmaceutical Companies in Increasing Literacy of Population in Matters of Health and Responsible Self-Treatment: Russian and Foreign Experience

Nowadays, the availability of medicines for the population is increasing every year. The number of non-prescription drugs on the market is increasing, and the consumption of medicines by the population is growing. Various factors contribute to the fact that self-medication is actively developing in many countries, including Russia. The development of the concept of self-medication is influenced by digital technologies that simplify the population's access to information on OTC medicines and diseases. In addition, the growth in the number of over-the-counter drugs on the market contributes to this in general. It is also important to note such factors as the inability to obtain qualified medical assistance in health facilities, the unwillingness to spend time on a visit to a doctor, etc. It is also worth mentioning about the ever increasing expenses of a government for healthcare. All this leads to an increase in the level of the population engaged in self-medication. Self-medication is an independent choice by a consumer of a drug that is available, for the prevention of disease, for maintaining the well-being and treating the symptoms discovered by the consumer himself. It is very important to say that the patient himself is responsible for the practice of self-treatment and its consequences. Self-medication is responsible for self-care in the form of drug treatment, with full compliance with the instructions for improving the well-being of non-serious diseases and the manifestation of chronic diseases, for the prevention of diseases, and includes a healthy lifestyle, avoiding addictions, and reasonable use of medicines. The introduction of the concept of responsible self-medication is possible only with the joint action of medical and pharmaceutical communities, pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as public organizations and the government. In order for patients to practice responsible self-medication, they must increase their literacy and health awareness.