Medical Experts Warn Against Self-Medication

Medical authorities in Kenya are sounding a strong warning about the dangers of self-medication, particularly the misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) antibiotics. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni cautioned that relying on self-prescribed drugs can fuel antimicrobial resistance, rendering critical antibiotics less effective when they are truly needed. The Ministry of Health is urging Kenyans to seek professional medical diagnoses rather than self-treatment.
Pharmacists, led by the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya, have also joined the call to end irresponsible drug purchase and use. At a World Pharmacists Day event in Murang’a, pharmacists warned that purchasing medicines without a doctor’s prescription treats only symptoms — not underlying causes — and can lead to dangerous drug interactions or misuse. Meanwhile, the regulatory body, Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), emphasized that antibiotics do not work against viral infections such as the flu or common cold, and their misuse contributes to drug resistance.
Healthcare experts also highlight broader risks of self-medication, including misdiagnosis, delayed treatment for serious illnesses, and potential harm from herbal or conventional medicine taken without guidance. In Kisii County, the problem has been compounded by technical issues with the Social Health Authority (SHA), where frustrating delays in approval for care are pushing residents to rely on OTC drugs. Medical professionals warn that unless the public addresses these practices, Kenya faces a growing silent crisis — one that limits effective treatment and may deepen the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance.