Motshabi Nomvethe, Head of Technical Marketing for Life Solutions at the Professional Provident Society, attributes this alarming trend to a combination of socioeconomic challenges and mental health issues. Economic instability, high youth unemployment, and intense work pressures have left many South Africans turning to self-medication as a coping mechanism.

Nomvethe explains that while some individuals face the strain of unemployment, others are overwhelmed by the pressures of overwork, burnout, and long hours. The demands of modern life have left many with little time for self-care or medical consultations, resulting in a reliance on OTC medication for quick relief. "People are using medications like paracetamol to manage symptoms, often without realising the long-term risks of misuse," she says.

For some, the inability to access healthcare or afford medical treatment exacerbates the issue, leading individuals to self-medicate with easily available OTC drugs. Nomvethe warns that prolonged use of these medications can lead to addiction, especially when individuals fail to address the underlying causes of their symptoms, whether stress, anxiety, or untreated medical conditions.

The danger of OTC abuse lies in its accessibility,without prescriptions, people can purchase medications from multiple pharmacies, often exceeding safe usage limits. Nomvethe advises that if symptoms persist beyond the recommended duration, individuals should seek professional help rather than continuing self-medication.

Nomvethe stresses the importance of community support, urging family members and colleagues to recognise the signs of misuse and intervene before addiction sets in. .

--ChannelAfrica--