Self-medication trend rises in Middle East during coronavirus crisis

Self-medication trend rises in Middle East during coronavirus crisis

Governments must implement clear policies to regulate the increasing trend of self-medication, particularly in light of the current global coronavirus pandemic, according to the Middle East, North Africa, and Pakistan Self-Medication Industry (MENAP-SMI).

Ashraf Allam, chairman of MENAP-SMI, and regional vice president, Middle East, Turkey and Africa at Mundipharma, revealed that the Covid-19 crisis has led to a rise in people across the region choosing to monitor their own temperatures and other symptoms, and only seek medical care when critical, in order to avoid gathering at care centres, risking infection.

Ministry of Health has revealed 470 new infections reported in the last 24 hours

However, he said: “Self-care medicines, also known as ‘non-prescription' or ‘over-the-counter' are available without the prescription from a qualified physician, so people need to have confidence that the drugs