Impacts of Pharmaceutical Guidance on Self-medication Among the Population: an Integrative Review

Abstract

The indiscriminate use of medication without the guidance of a qualified professional constitutes a significant risk factor for patient safety. It is common for people to seek out drugstores or pharmacies to self-medicate, or to keep a stock of medications at home without a medical prescription or guidance from a pharmaceutical professional. Self-medication is a common practice in Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study is to synthesize evidence on the impact of pharmaceutical guidance on self-medication in community pharmacies. This research is an integrative review with narrative synthesis. The search for articles was conducted through the online databases LILACS, SCIELO, and PUBMED. Eleven articles were selected and analyzed. Among these, 3 studies (Type A) directly evaluated the effect or association of pharmaceutical guidance with health outcomes. Another 6 studies (Type B) focused on describing different guidance formats, and 2 studies (Type C) addressed aspects of context and perception. It was found that the full-time presence of a pharmacist in pharmacies promotes the effective execution of their clinical and educational function, significantly contributing to the rational use of medicines, promoting patient safety, preventing adverse reactions, avoiding drug interactions and unnecessary hospitalizations. Furthermore, their actions, guided by ethical principles and scientific evidence, strengthen trust between professional and user, favoring adherence to appropriate treatments and improving health outcomes.