title: [Public health benefits of non prescription medicines and self care].
abstract: Self-medication is one element of self-care. For Who, "responsible self-medication is the practice whereby individuals treat ailments and conditions with medicines which are approved and available without prescription, and which are safe and effective when used as directed". In France, Afssaps is the agency in charge of regulating the market in non prescription medicines. During the last ten years, major efforts have been made to rationalize this market. Measures include a revision of the indications of the oldest products, a definition of clinical indications than can be switched from prescription to non prescription, more readable patient information leaflets, adaptation of packaging to self-care, writing of guidelines and recommendations, and new modes of pharmacovigilance. Indeed, it is crucial to provide an appropriate framework for responsible self-care.
authors.affiliation: Groupe Hospitalier Pitié Salpêtritre.
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Baumelou
mesh_terms: D004349:Drug Packaging; D005602:France; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D012651:Self Medication
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs