The AESGP is a non-profit organization that represents the manufacturers of non-prescription medicines, food supplements, and self-care medical devices in Europe; here, they explore the importance of self-care policies, supported by evidence on their economic, social, and health benefits
Self-care* is an essential aspect of public health. As healthcare systems face growing challenges – ranging from resource constraints to aging populations – self-care can alleviate some of the pressure by empowering individuals to manage simple conditions independently.
*In this context, self-care is defined as the management of minor ailments using products like non-prescription medicines, self-care medical devices, and food supplements. These tools allow individuals to take control of their health, alleviating the strain on healthcare systems and saving both time and resources.
Easing the burden on overstretched Healthcare Systems
AESGP has gathered the numbers. (1) Each year, 1.2 billion minor health issues across Europe are managed through self-care, avoiding over €36 billion in costs. Of this, €26bn is saved in direct medical expenses, while another €10bn is saved from productivity losses that would have arisen from time off work and general practitioner (GP) consultations. For each euro spent on non-prescription medicines in Europe, society saves €6.70.
Imagine waking up with a mild headache: instead of booking a medical doctor appointment, you head directly to your medicine cabinet for a non-prescription pain reliever. This simple choice helps you recover and has a broader impact as it saves time and reduces pressure on healthcare services.
Without self-care, Europe would need 120,000 additional GPs, or each GP currently employed would have to work 2.4 more hours a day. The time saved by individuals from avoiding unnecessary visits adds up to one billion hours per year, equivalent to the work of 58,000 GPs. This clearly shows that better utilization of self-care mechanisms can improve the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery, allowing doctors to focus on more severe health conditions.
For individuals who practice self-care for minor ailments, this time can be redirected into productive work, leisure activities, or caring for others, contributing to an improved work-life balance. (2)
First line of defense in public health crises
We expect the healthcare system to be there when we need it. However, rising costs and greater demand from crises—like the COVID-19 pandemic, an aging population and the rise in non-communicable diseases make this increasingly difficult. For many, self-care is the first line of defense in healthcare. But self-care isn’t alone care. It is supported by governments, healthcare professionals, and the tools and products at their disposal.
Self-care and improved health literacy also play a key role in tackling public health challenges like antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Overuse of antibiotics has led to an increase in drug-resistant infections, a major concern worldwide. According to the 2018 Eurobarometer survey, (3) 57% of Europeans were not aware that antibiotics are ineffective against viruses, and 44% did not know that antibiotics are ineffective against cold and flu. This is alarming, especially as up to 80% of common winter illnesses are caused by viruses and therefore do not require antibiotic treatment. By using the appropriate treatments and consulting pharmacists, if needed, individuals can help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions, thereby combatting the rise in resistant infections.
In addition, the availability of non-prescription antifungal and antiviral medicines as self-care options for treating minor fungal and viral infections (e.g., athlete’s foot or herpes labialis) ensures that these minor conditions do not aggravate or spread among the population. Research shows that if these medicines were unavailable without a prescription, some people would do nothing or delay seeking treatment, which could have more serious consequences for health, requiring stronger or larger quantities of antivirals and antifungals later on. (4)
Self-Care in the digital space
The rise of digital health tools is another dimension of self-care that can greatly enhance public health. Apps, online consultations or advice, and health-tracking tools provide individuals with real-time information about their health, enabling them to make informed decisions.
For instance, telehealth platforms can help users determine whether a visit to the GP is necessary or if home care is sufficient. With the right policy framework to guarantee reliability and safety, this technological development can potentially reduce unnecessary clinic visits while ensuring appropriate medical intervention when needed. Digital technology can also be useful when access to doctors is difficult, for example, in medical deserts.
Health literacy is key
The benefits of self-care go beyond immediate cost savings. When effectively promoted and adopted, self-care can drive long-term improvements in health outcomes. Central to this is health literacy, which empowers individuals to make informed, responsible decisions about their health.
People with a higher level of health literacy are more likely to engage in self-care practices, adopt healthier lifestyles, and understand the importance of preventive measures. This behaviour change not only helps reduce the incidence of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes but also encourages early intervention and lifestyle changes that can mitigate the disease progression.
Policy recommendations to harness the potential of self-care
Robust policies are needed for self-care to reach its full potential. Governments, healthcare providers, and individuals all have a role to play in developing a culture that encourages responsible self-care.
Some of the policy recommendations from AESGP include:
- Consider self-care products as exceptional: Self-care products are often taken for granted; they are usually incorporated into legislative changes in each sector (Medicines, Medical Devices, or Food regulatory frameworks) without weighing the particularities that would give them due exceptional status.
- More self-care products and guidelines at national level: National authorities should define the conditions for self-care and provide clear instructions to the public on how to access self-care products and manage self-care conditions effectively. Benchmarking the regulatory status of self-care products in other countries could also help health systems to be more resilient.
- Public education campaigns: These campaigns should emphasize the importance of responsible self-care, including when to consult a healthcare professional. Pharmacists should also be empowered to advise on self-care solutions, making them an essential part of the healthcare continuum. As part of the health system, community pharmacies can be promoted as the first point of contact for minor conditions and health advice.
Self-care, a public health imperative
Self-care is not just an individual responsibility but a public health necessity. Promoting and developing self-care policies can reduce the strain on healthcare systems, generate significant savings, and improve individual wellbeing. From combating antimicrobial resistance to enhancing access to healthcare through digital tools, self-care has vast potential to reshape public health sustainably and effectively.
For these reasons, policymakers must prioritize developing and implementing self-care strategies tailored to the needs of their populations. Through collaboration between governments, healthcare professionals, and the public, we can create a healthcare system that is more resilient, more efficient, and better equipped to meet future challenges.
References
1. May und Bauer, Self-Care in Europe: Economic and Social Impact on Individuals and Society, February 2021, https://aesgp.eu/content/uploads/2023/05/2022-09-19_Self-Care-in-Europe_MayBauer_AESGP_FINAL.pdf
2. For more information, please consult the AESGP website: https://aesgp.eu/value-of-self-care
3. European Union, European Data, “Special Eurobarometer 478: Antimicrobial Resistance (in the EU)”: https://data.europa.eu/data/datasets/s2190_90_1_478_eng?locale=en
4. IQVIA, Health economic study on impact of reverse-switching antifungal and antiviral non-prescription medicines, July 2024, https://aesgp.eu/content/uploads/2024/08/01FINA1.pdf
Association of the European Self-Care Industry (AESGP)
![Figure 1. Systemic immune responses elicited by oral dmLT-saponin combinations compared to injected vaccines (A) Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) image of the dmLT and saponin formulation demonstrating the formation of acid-stable micelle particles upon the addition of saponin to dmLT. (B) Preclinical evaluation of systemic serum IgG and IgA antibody responses following prime/boost vaccination. Antibody levels against the microbial protein antigen included in the vaccination were assessed two weeks post-final vaccination in immunized mice. Groups were stratified by vaccination route (intramuscular [IM] or sublingual [SL]) and adjuvant formulation (dmLT [D] and/or saponin [S]). Comparisons with unvaccinated controls (white bars) are shown. Statistical significance between groups is indicated (*P < 0.05), with the SL D+S group achieving the best IgG and IgA responses to vaccine antigen.](https://www.openaccessgovernment.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Figure-01-100x70.jpg "New strategies for an old problem – Oral vaccines research")
