The use of antibiotics without a physician’s prescription is common practice around the world, with a pooled predominance surpassing 75% in low and middle-income countries. The present study assesses whether the people who are concerned about their health still opt for non-prescription use of antibiotics. A quantitative research survey was conducted in five provinces of Pakistan, in November and December 2021. A validated questionnaire was used, and respondents were asked questions to underline public perceptions on medicine-related services in the country. The data was analyzed through non-parametric inferential statistics using SPSS that the respondents. Results revealed a significant statistical difference in the tendencies of respondents to buy antibiotics with or without the prescription of physicians. Females showed more responsible attitude towards the use of medicine in Pakistani society than males. Highly educated respondents less likely bought antibiotics without the prescription of physicians in comparison to relatively less educated ones. Respondents belonged to Baluchistan and KPK had higher tendencies to buy antibiotics without the prescription of physicians in comparison to inhabitants of Gilgit-Baltistan, Punjab and Sindh respectively. The study results concluded that the respondents, who are always concerned about their own and their relative’s health, still prefer to buy antibiotics without the prescription of physicians. That means, the non-prescription use of antibiotic is not a health concern in public’s mind.

Index Terms- Drug safety, irrational antibiotics, pharmaceutical care, self-medication, patient awareness