#over-the-counter

• Self-medication — A medical practice consisting of the initiation and administration of drugs, supplements, or remedies by an individual on their own initiative, to treat self-diagnosed symptoms without consulting a doctor and without an authorized prescription. While useful in managing minor ailments through OTC products, uncontrolled self-medication represents a major public health concern due to severe risks of misdiagnosis, adverse drug reactions, dangerous interactions, and the development of antibiotic resistance.