New Delhi: A study conducted by the Pharmacology Department of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has revealed that self-medication is high among undergraduate medical and paramedical students in India.

The study says that a large number of trainee doctors are involved in self-medication and this increases with the increase of knowledge in medical sciences.

Dr. Y.K. Gupta, head of the department, Pharmacology, AIIMS, said that, "About 92 per cent male and 88 per cent female students are taking medicine without any prescription."

The survey was conducted taking into consideration a total of 238 students -166 females and 71 males - from 24 medical colleges in India. All students were in the age group of 18-25 years.

Of the total number of students who participated in the survey, 63 per cent were from the medical and 37 per cent were from the paramedical branch.

Students were asked about self-medication giving 16 categories of drugs for their choice. The practices include use of antibacterial, anti inflammatory, analgesic, antacid, anti-allergic, antitussive, antidiarrhoeal, antiulcer, antiemitic, antipyretic, ear drops, eye drops, laxative, hypnotics, nutritional supplements, ayurvedic, homoeopathy and unani.

The most popular drugs that the students usually take are: analgesics for the treatment of headache, fatigue and body-ache, antipyretics - used to decrease body temperature, antibacterials and antacids.