This is true, confirmed to AFC by the Ministry of Public Health and Population, the WHO, and several pharmacists.
Self-medication involves users treating their conditions with approved medications without prior medical advice, but with the guidance of a pharmacist.
Verification:
This persistent information has been circulating verbally in Bangui and its surroundings recently, claiming that self-medication has consequences for consumers.
This information has been confirmed by health specialists and pharmacists contacted by AFC for fact-checking.
Dr. Awa, a pharmacist, confirmed this thesis:
“It is indeed unacceptable and very dangerous to administer medications without medical prescriptions because only doctors know the correct dosage and which medication should be prescribed for each illness.”
Similar reactions came from Augustin Dibert, Health Promotion Advisor at the WHO in Central Africa, who also stated that this practice could even lead to death:
“Self-medication leads to resistance in the body when people actually fall ill and are prescribed the same medications, and it can also lead to death.”
According to the health information site Malakoff Humanis, “the dangers of self-medication are numerous. In some cases, it can lead to severe complications due to a lack of information about these medications. It can indeed lead to misuse of medications and worsening of the patient’s condition. Misuse can take multiple forms, such as dosage errors and simultaneous use of different medications that alter each other’s effectiveness.”
Self-medication can be effective if practiced for minor cases. It should be done with caution and in accordance with guidelines to avoid endangering your health. If your health does not improve, you should not hesitate to consult a doctor. However, health specialists contacted by AFC have supported the thesis that taking medications without prior medical advice or prescriptions can have negative effects on users.
Princia Florence Yalla / AFC
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