In the country, Malayalees are in the front in taking medicines. Kerala is also ahead in the misuse of antibiotics. Pharmacies have been instructed not to sell medicines without an authorized doctor’s prescription. However, anyone can buy any medicine from medical shops. The government warns against misuse of medicines at times. It is said that strict action will be taken if the scheduled drugs are sold without prescription, but no action is taken.

After the Covid pandemic, the sale of all kinds of medicines including antibiotics has increased in the state. A large percentage of the medicines sold in medical shops are sold without a prescription. It is said that the use of antibiotic medicines has increased by 20% after Covid.

There is an increase in the number of people seeking treatments by buying antibiotics on their own. Along with this, it has been noticed that overuse and misuse of medicines are creating problems among the people. Doctors prescribe medicine according to each disease. Experts say that the tendency to buy and use the medicine once given in this way is never sustainable. Taking a medicine that is prescribed only for a certain day can cause problems if you use it for more days than you think and stop using it before the prescribed day is reached. The expert committee which conducted a study on the use of antibiotic medicines in the state is going to come up with strict measures to control this trend. The measures include suspending the licenses of pharmacies selling antibiotics without a doctor's prescription.

Complaints are often heard recently that despite taking two-three times of antibiotics, there is no relief in the disease. Most of the complaints come from people who self-medicate without consulting a doctor. Antibiotics not being effective is not its fault, it may be due to misuse. The overuse of antibiotics suggests that some restrictions are necessary.

There is another reality behind people buying drugs without a prescription. It is true that our state has reached the highest level in the country in the field of health. Let's not forget the fact that the number of people suffering without treatment is not small. Overcrowding in government hospitals often keeps the middle class away. These people depend on private hospitals. The situation is that that a huge amount is needed even for the treatment of fever. There are quite a few people who go to pharmacies with old prescriptions and buy medicines and try to cure the disease. Disease and treatment are becoming a huge burden for fixed income earners. The only way to do this is to improve the government treatment facilities as much as possible. The OP time should be increased in hospitals and facilities should be made for it even in the evening. If more treatment centers can be opened under local bodies, many people will benefit. Along with preventing drug abuse, people should be able to provide cheap emergency services. If the services of doctors are easily available, many people will not rush to medical shops with old prescriptions.