Keyword: «polypragmasia»

The article defines the frequency of using medications not prescribed by a doctor in various population groups. The most popular of them have been identified for different contingents. The influence of various sources of information about medicines on the very purpose of these drugs is revealed. Conclusions are drawn about the problem of self-designation of medicines among the population. The ways of solving the problem of self-designation of medicines are proposed. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of self-medication among different groups of the popu-lation, to determine its main causes. The object of the study were patients of the medical institution of Smolensk, the data were collected by interviewing and filling out questionnaires.