Medical Experts Warn Against Self-Medication

Medical authorities in Kenya have issued serious warnings about the growing trend of self-medication, particularly with over-the-counter antibiotics and other prescription-only drugs. Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni cautioned that taking antibiotics without a proper diagnosis is fueling antimicrobial resistance (AMR), making these life-saving drugs less effective when they are truly needed.
Pharmacists are echoing this alarm. At a public event, members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Kenya (PSK) urged Kenyans to avoid buying medicine without a doctor’s prescription, warning that self-treatment based on symptoms alone can lead to misdiagnosis and dangerous side effects. They noted that when people bypass professional diagnosis and rely on symptom-based drug purchases, they risk treating the wrong condition—or masking a more serious illness.
Infectious disease specialists have also stepped in. According to them, ill-advised antibiotic use for things like colds or flu—without confirming bacterial infection—greatly increases the risk of resistant bacteria. Dr. Loice Ombajo cautioned during a recent AMR stakeholder meeting that overuse of restricted antibiotics is a horrible situation for the future of medicine.
Doctors and public health experts further highlight that self-medication not only contributes to resistance but also hides potentially serious illnesses. A survey across 40 counties revealed that many Kenyans rely on self-treatment instead of getting proper medical advice, which can lead to misdiagnosis, worsening disease, or even death.
Health leaders are calling for stronger regulation, better public education on the risks of self-medication, and improved access to health services to discourage people from treating themselves without proper medical oversight.