Srinagar, Sept. 22 -- A headache in the morning, a bout of fever by evening and for millions of people, the response is the same: walk into the nearest pharmacy, describe the symptom, and walk out with a strip of tablets. No prescription, no doctor's visit, no questions asked. This practice, known as self-medication, has quietly become one of the most widespread health behaviours of our time and increasingly, one of the most worrying.

The World Health Organization defines self-medication as the practice of treating a health problem on one's own, using medicine without consulting a doctor or other health professional. It isn't always harmful - buying a paracetamol for a mild headache is a form of responsible self-care. The concern begins ...