{
  "abstract": "Self-medication is an established component of self-care, but its implications for patients and health systems are not uniformly beneficial or harmful. This critical review examines the clinical, economic and health-system trade-offs. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar informed a focused critical synthesis of 52 sources. The original literature check was conducted in August 2026; revision-stage source verification continued through 13 October 2026. Selection and descriptive critical appraisal were undertaken by one author. Pharmacist-supported minor-ailment care improved selected clinical and referral outcomes. An Australian trial reported symptom resolution or relief in 94% versus 88% with usual pharmacy care, with no statistically significant difference in reconsultation; its economic evaluation estimated an additional AUD7.14 per patient and AUD2277 per quality-adjusted life-year. In a Ugandan hospital-based study, self-medication was associated with admission attributed to adverse drug reactions (adjusted odds ratio 2.27; 95% confidence interval 1.14-4.55). Pharmacy interventions reduced non-prescription antibiotic dispensing in some settings, but persistent supply and limited clinical-outcome evidence constrained interpretation. Overall, benefits and risks varied by medicine, patient characteristics, professional support and healthcare access; evidence did not establish a single net clinical or economic benefit across these different practices. Policy should support suitable non-prescription care through medicine-safety checks and defined referral criteria. In low- and middle-income countries, higher-risk-medicine restrictions should accompany affordable diagnosis and treatment. Local evaluation should measure adverse outcomes, completed referrals and household and health-system costs. Focused single-author selection limits coverage and causal interpretation.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia.",
    "Department of Pharmacy, Dr Sumait Hospital, SIMAD University, Mogadishu, Somalia."
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 1,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Zainab Sabrie",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-1494-7652"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8f1ddyfryrn1f.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2147/rmhp.s649932",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13715647",
  "id": "8f1ddyfryrn1f",
  "issns": [
    "1179-1594"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953419",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Review"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "3004|Pharmacy and Medical Practices"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7223470143",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13715647?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13715647",
  "pmid": "42953419",
  "published": "2026-10-24",
  "publisher": "Dove Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8f1ddyfryrn1f.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-31T00:20:40Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42953419",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953419"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-01T12:22:52Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13715647",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s649932"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:3004|Pharmacy and Medical Practices",
      "subfield": "pharmacology-toxicology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Self-Medication: A Critical Review of Clinical, Economic, and Health-System Trade-Offs.",
  "title_text": "Self-Medication: A Critical Review of Clinical, Economic, and Health-System Trade-Offs.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-01T12:22:52Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8f1ddyfryrn1f",
  "venue": "Risk management and healthcare policy",
  "versions": []
}