Editorial | Self Medication Is A Growing Threat In Kashmir

In Srinagar, Baramulla, Anantnag, Kupwara, people often walk into pharmacies and ask for medicines by name. A fever, a cough, body pain, stomach upset. The chemist hands over tablets. No prescription. No detailed check. The relief feels quick. The harm stays hidden.

Kashmir faces unique challenges. Winters are harsh. Roads close. Access to hospitals becomes difficult in remote areas. In many villages, a doctor may not be available every day. Families store antibiotics, painkillers, and cough syrups at home. They use old prescriptions again and again. They depend on advice from relatives. This pattern has become normal.

When you treat symptoms without diagnosis, you risk masking a serious illness. A simple fever could be typhoid. It could be dengue. It could signal an infection that needs specific treatment. If you suppress it with random drugs, you delay proper care. Delay can lead to complications.

Antibiotic misuse is the biggest concern. In Kashmir, as in the rest of India, antibiotics are often used for viral infections like cold and flu. These drugs do not work against viruses. When used unnecessarily or stopped midway, they create antibiotic resistance. Bacteria learn to fight back. In the future, common infections may stop responding to standard medicines. Doctors will face limited options. Treatment will become longer and costlier.

The World Health Organization has already listed antimicrobial resistance as a major global threat. India carries a heavy burden. Kashmir cannot remain untouched. If resistant infections spread in our hospitals, even routine surgeries may become risky.

Painkillers also cause silent damage. Many people use them daily for joint pain, back pain, or winter aches. Excess use can harm the liver and kidneys. Anti inflammatory drugs can cause stomach bleeding. People with high blood pressure or heart disease face greater risks. Yet few consult doctors before taking them regularly.

Mental health is another area of concern. Kashmir has lived through decades of stress. Anxiety and sleep problems are common. Some people use sleeping pills or anti anxiety medicines without supervision. These drugs can cause dependence. The body demands higher doses over time. Withdrawal becomes difficult. Instead of solving the problem, it creates a new one.

Children and elderly citizens face the highest risk. A small dosing error in a child can lead to poisoning. Older patients often take medicines for diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. Adding another drug without guidance can cause harmful interactions. Hospitals in the Valley have reported cases of adverse drug reactions that could have been prevented.

The cost argument often drives self medication. Private consultations can be expensive. Government hospitals face heavy rush. Waiting for hours discourages many. Yet the cost of complications is far higher. Treating kidney failure or severe infection drains savings. Prevention is always cheaper than cure.

Pharmacies also carry responsibility. Selling prescription drugs without proper checks encourages misuse. Regulatory authorities must ensure strict enforcement. At the same time, public awareness campaigns are essential. People must understand that not every illness needs an antibiotic. Not every pain requires a pill.

Schools and colleges in Kashmir can play a role. Basic health education should become part of learning. Young people must know how medicines work, why dosage matters, and how resistance develops. Awareness at an early age can change habits at home.

Technology offers an opportunity. Telemedicine services can connect remote villages to qualified doctors. Government initiatives should strengthen primary health centres in rural belts. If access improves, dependence on guesswork will reduce.

As an individual, you can act responsibly. Do not reuse old prescriptions.

Complete the full course of prescribed medicines.

Avoid sharing medicines with family members.

Consult a qualified doctor before starting new drugs.

Keep medicines out of reach of children.

Kashmir has shown resilience in difficult times. It has rebuilt after floods. It has endured harsh winters. It can also change unsafe health habits. Medicines save lives when used correctly. They harm when misused.

Every tablet you take affects your body. It is not a shortcut. It is a medical intervention. Respect it.

Self medication may seem small. Its impact can be large. For the health of our people and the future of our healthcare system, Kashmir must take this issue seriously. Your health deserves informed care, not risky experiments.