The drug companies also target doctors to boost sales. Medical studies show that a healthy person needs between 3 or 4 prescription drugs a year. On average, Brazilians consume 11 prescription drugs with at least eight without any medical orientation. Experts agree that advances in medicine have played an important role in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis, pneumonia, syphilis and countless other diseases that a century ago plagued humanity. The problem is that people need drugs only in rare situations but often seek them inappropriately for instant relief.
Antibiotics are among most misused medications.
Antibiotics, of course, have no effect on back pain. But the inappropriate use of antibiotics and other drugs has detrimental consequences including intoxication. Over time repeated use, even in small doses, builds bacterial resistance making subsequent courses practically ineffective. Brazil is not the only country with a self-medication habit. The types of drugs available for self-medication, however, vary greatly from country to country.