[Drug consumption patterns in 2 villages of Bahia (Brazil)]

A study among families in two villages in rural Bahia, Brazil, reveals that presently pharmaceutical products, are being used in self-medication on a large scale. Traditional remedies appear to have a limited place only. People's attitude towards modern medicines proved to be highly positive. However, when biomedicaly evaluated, the use of the pharmaceutical products has to be considered irrational. Complicating factors are: 1) a preference for the application of pharmaceutical products in infants, 2) the high financial burden to which the population is subject resulting from drug acquisition and 3) the exaggerated expectation with regard to antibiotics, analgesics and vitamin preparations. It is recommended did to do more research into local conditions of drugs use, resulting in creative solutions for irrational drug-use. Self medication could become an important instrument in "Primary Health Care", provided that people have more information. Public Health could play a keyrole in this research and the consequent educational programmes.