[In defense and promotion of self medication].
BACKGROUND
Most people turn to self medication for common problems, often incorrectly.


OBJECTIVE
To inform citizens on how to use over the counter drugs and drugs in general.


METHODS
A group of pharmacists wrote the main information. The booklet was tested on groups of normal citizens (mothers, clerks, elderly), to assess the relevance and completeness of the contents. The philosophy reverses the traditional approach of forbidding and stressing the harmful effects of drugs: "you may take drugs and the booklet helps you to understand how to use them correctly".


RESULTS
The colorful booklets were distributed in chemistries and doctors offices and clinics. The introduction with rights and duties of those that use drugs and information on pain treatments and on some common problems in children (otitis, colics, fever, coughs) are presented.
D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012651:Self Medication