Self-medication dangerous

The health department amid the surge in Covid-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir has asked people to prefer home isolation in case they are tested positive for the deadly virus. This announcement to the people was made by the Director Health Services, Kashmir during a press conference as the cases being reported at present are mostly mild according to him. However, the people have been avoiding the testing process, by visiting the medical shops here to seek treatment. In this regard, the health officials including the doctors have sounded alert and asked people to avoid self medication as according to them such a trend could lead to the disastrous situation. The doctors believe that the people, who are having flu-like symptoms and are going ahead with the self medication, are jeopardizing their lives, which they suggested to be stopped forthwith for the wellbeing of the people. In the last couple of days, the reports are coming to the fore, claiming that a huge rush of people could be witnessed outside the medical shops, where the people could be seen buying the medicines for flu like symptoms. There is a need to understand the enormity of the situation as there is a possibility of serious ramifications because of self medication. Such a trend has the capacity to enhance the rate of hospitalization across the Valley. Therefore, the government in this regard should consider passing strict directions to the medical shop owners, asking them to stop giving medicines to the people without prescriptions, which would help in preventing the lives of common people. The medical shop owners should also stop selling medicines to the people without prescriptions so that a possible tragedy is averted well on time.