A large survey carried out from June to September 2002 in the territory of the Czech Republic found and analyzed the knowledge of the population of the Czech Republic in relation to self-medication and o-t-c drugs and revealed the main problematic areas from the viewpoint of the public. The survey was particularly focused on the behaviour of people in relation to packaging of OTC drugs and drug information sheets, expiration period of medicaments – advertisements for OTC drugs in the media, most frequently selected indications for selfmedication, self-medication in small children, financial participation in self-medication and the resultant compliance or non-compliance, and the price of the OTC drug and dosage. The results show that 68 % of respondents are able to take a medicine after its expiration period. An o-t-c drug would be bought just on the basis of television advertising by 7 % of respondents, and more than a half of the respondents (57 %) stated they would first consult their physician or pharmacist. In the case of a sudden ailment of a one-year-old child, 80 % of respondents stated that they would contact the physician, 8 % opted for self-medication. Under the assumption that an OTC drug is covered by health insurance, 27 % of respondents would go to the physician, though they could buy it themselves.

        Key words: self-medication – over-the-counter drugs – behaviour – drug advertizing – financial participation