A automedicação: um problema de saúde pública no Brasil

Abstract

Self-medication according to ANVISA's definition is characterized by the use of medication without the prescription, orientation and / or follow-up of a trained professional. Increasingly present in society, the self-medication or indiscriminate use of medicines can lead to various risks to the health of people such as intoxication, drug interaction, resistance by agents causing diseases, among other adverse

reactions. The aim of this article is to review the literature on the main aspects of self- medication, aiming at exposing the dangers, the care that should be taken, the

influence of marketing on people's decision to self-medicate, and the position of the pharmacist in the role of guiding people on the rational use of medicines. From the bibliographical survey it was possible to enumerate the serious risks that people are subjected to when doing this practice without professional guidance, besides identifying how the pharmacist can act and guide in front of self-medication situations.