Alfred Aliah, a physician assistant, has warned against the growing rate of self-medication, stating that it poses serious health dangers.
Speaking on the Big Mike Breakfast Show on Tuesday November 25, Aliah clarified that drug abuse is not limited to illegal substances only, but also includes the self-use of unprescribed medications.
“There are some drugs that we abuse, but people don’t even know. Even our old ladies and our fathers mostly take painkillers, such as Gebedol.”
“When we mention drug abuse, everybody is looking at weed, alcohol, ‘red’ and the like, but even these daily prescription medications that we give in the hospital are abused.”
He explained that the body system works in a way that whatever is taken has an impact on it, stressing that taking the wrong medication is a serious health risk.
Aliah advised that persons who notice symptoms should immediately report to a health centre rather than purchasing medications at over-the-counter drug stores.
“Early reporting to a hospital for treatment helps in curing the condition early enough, but when you start going to over-the-counter stores to buy drugs, you are delaying the time you could have used to seek early treatment. Again, you might not actually be treating the right condition.”
He added that most over-the-counter drug stores do not have qualified personnel to prescribe the right medication.
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