A recent study conducted in Chennai, India, found that 90% of adults engage in self-medication, a rate nearly double the national average. The research, published in April in the International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology (IJIRSET), surveyed 174 adults from both urban and rural areas associated with Omandurar Government Hospital. The findings reveal that 92.5% of participants self-medicated at least once, with painkillers being the most commonly used drugs at 73%. Alarmingly, 75% of respondents indicated that self-medication led them to delay seeking professional medical care, and nearly 70% admitted to sharing prescription medications with others. Experts are particularly concerned about the misuse of antibiotics, with one in nine participants self-administering these drugs without a prescription. This practice is linked to the growing issue of drug-resistant infections in India. The Indian Medical Association has warned that deaths from antibiotic resistance may soon surpass those from road accidents. To address these issues, researchers advocate for stricter regulations on over-the-counter drug sales and enhanced public awareness campaigns about responsible medicine use.