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Advertising of non-prescription medicines to the public
A significant contributor to healthcare
Nonprescription (or over-the-counter, OTC) medicines are medicines which are approved as safe and effective for use without a doctor’s prescription. As no healthcare professional is necessarily involved in their use, advertising directly to the public of the availability of nonprescription medicines is essential. The booklet is structured in three sections. The first and second sections review the nature and benefits of nonprescription medicines' advertising. The third section proposes a discussion on the appropriate regulation of nonprescription medicines' advertising based on a review of various countries' experiences.
For a pdf version of the brochure, click [here].
To order a print copy, please send a request to admin@wsmi.org. |
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Better regulation of nonprescription medicines
All too often in developing countries, regulation of nonprescription medicines is not clearly distinguished from that of prescription medicines. This lack of distinction places limits on achieving an optimal level of public health. Starting with clarifying the distinctions between Rx and OTC medicines, and the purposes of regulation, the booklet then reminds the reader of the benefits of greater use of nonprescription medicines. Best practice in regulation of nonprescription medicines is then discussed, and finally some material is presented on the issue of the review of existing legislation. [download pdf version]
Copies in English are available from WSMI. Please contact: admin@wsmi.org. |
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Responsible Self-Care and Self-Medication
A Worldwide Review of Consumer Surveys
This new review of consumer surveys carried out over the past 10 years around the world confirms that OTC medicines are used cautiously and responsibly and that they help to educate people on the practice of healthy living habits and self-care.
It summarises the striking similarities among people around the world. Feeling unwell and suffering from non-chronic ailments is a very common experience. People around the world tend to treat these conditions in much the same conservative way, about a quarter of the time turning to OTC medicines. People are becoming more confident that they have a role to play in their own healthcare and they believe that a modern healthcare system should offer inceasing opportunities to access OTC medicines.
Download PDF version: [English] [Spanish].
Copies in English and Spanish are available from WSMI. Please contact: admin@wsmi.org. | |
WSMI – World Medical Association (WMA) joint paper - September 2006
Dr David Webber of WSMI, and Dr John Williams of WMA, have co-authored a publication in the September issue of the Medical World Journal, entitled ‘A Discussion Paper on the Future of Self-Care and its implications for Physicians’. The emergence of self-care and responsible self-medication is of importance to physicians around the world, and this paper is designed to stimulate discussion and interaction between doctors and their representatives, and the self-medication industry. The September issue of the journal can be viewed on http://www.wma.net/e/publications/pdf/wmj11.pdf. |
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ICN publishes a monograph on self-care and self-medication
The International Council of Nurses (ICN) has produced a booklet entitled “Responsible Self-Medication: Nursing Perspectives”. Nurses often being the first point of medical contact for the public, healthcare systems are increasingly recognizing the importance of their role in educating and supporting people with self-care, particularly self-medication for minor ailments, as well as for long-term medical conditions. This monograph has been developed to address some of the nurses’ interests arising from this increased responsibility.
The World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI) is pleased to have contributed to this monograph which should help nurses assume leadership to discuss with, advise and educate individuals about self-care and responsible self-medication.
If you would like to request a copy, please contact admin@wsmi.org | |
Creating a Framework for the Self-Care Consumer
This publication provides you with a brief description of the evidence behind the basis of responsible self-medication.
You will also find examples of WSMI policy positions and illustrations of self-medication approaches taken by governments.
Copies in English, Spanish and Chinese are available from WSMI. Please contact: admin@wsmi.org |
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Avoiding Heart Attacks and Strokes. Don’t be a victim - Protect yourself
This 44-page booklet has been developed by WSMI in partnership with the World Health Organization, The World Heart Federation, and the International Stroke Society. Featuring two main parts “what you should know” and “what you can do”, this booklet targets the General Public, emphasizing the growing role of the individual, patient or potential patient, in the healthcare system at the turn of the 21st century.
To download the brochure in English, click here (PDF 2.70 Mb)
Copies in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese and French are also available from WSMI, please contact: admin@wsmi.org. |
World Self-Medication Industry 14th General Assembly &5th Asia Pacific Tokyo, November 2002 Regional Conference "Beyond the Conventional Boundary of Self-Medication"
The report of a major global meeting summarizing the presentations of the many stakeholders in health: Patients Consumers, Government Regulators, Healthcare professionals, Academia and the Self-medication Industry.
Copy available from WSMI. Please contact: admin@wsmi.org |
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Guiding Principles in Self-Medication
Every day people throughout the world act on their own on their health - they practice self-care. In some instances they do so through self-medication. What areas can governments examine to help assure that self-medication takes place in a responsible framework ? How can governments further promote public health and assure that products designed for self-medication are safe and effective ?
This publication represents the views of the World Self-Medication Industry (WSMI), the world federation representing manufacturers of nonprescription medicines and supplements. It discusses elements of a number of government policies for promoting better health through responsible self-medication.
Copy available from WSMI. Please contact: admin@wsmi.org
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