THE World Self-Medication Industry has released a new report estimating savings of more than $1 billion to the Australian economy if just a few prescription medicines were reclassified as OTC.
The Precision Health Economics report reviews existing evidence to support the use of self-medication, focusing on the cost-related impacts of self care in terms of healthcare resource use, medication costs and productivity.
Conditions targeted for the study included allergic rhinitis and chronic urticaria; heartburn/non-ulcer dyspepsia; common cold symptom management; and cardiovascular disease, with evidence reviewed in the report indicating a significant reduction in doctor visits once a class of medicines becomes available without a script.
"A large proportion of patients are seeking medical care for conditions that are suitable for self care," the organisation said, with the review showing improving access to medicines that people can use to manage their own health can deliver significant economic benefits to healthcare systems.
The study was published in the Journal of Medical Economics - see www.tandfonline.com.
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