Overview of Self-medication on the Use of Generic Drugs in Medical Faculty Students and College Students Non-faculty of Medicine

Abstract

Self-medication is the choice of using medication without a prescription from a doctor to treat certain minor illnesses. When carrying out self-medication, paying attention to the rational use of drugs is necessary. This study aims to see the picture of self-medication regarding the use of generic drugs among students at the Faculty of Medicine and Non-Medical Faculty of the Indonesian Christian University class of 2018, using a descriptive survey method, with a total sample of 134 respondents. When carrying out self-medication, students mainly obtain medicines from pharmacies (61.9%) and information about these medicines from relatives/family/friends (49.2%). Most students use branded generic drugs because these drugs are more effective. Based on drug class, students prefer to use generic drugs with free/limited free groups. Meanwhile, based on the accuracy of using generic drugs, most students use drugs not following the prescribed usage recommendations or not following rational drug use.