Table 2 Key messages emerging from the 2019 Joint Statement of Policy by the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) on Responsible and Effective Self-care [12]

Pharmacists have a professional responsibility to:

Support the person with evidence-based, unbiased and sound advice about self-care, the range of available treatment options, and the accurate self-identification of many self-treatable conditions

Provide each patient with holistic advice, which may include but is not limited to: diet, exercise and other lifestyle changes

Adapt communication to the individual’s level of health literacy

Encourage the individual to provide the pharmacist with information required to best assess a condition

Encourage the person to always use self-care products appropriately, safely, efficaciously and judiciously

Invite the person to speak to the pharmacist if he/she experiences unexpected/unwanted effects from the use of a self-care product

Encourage the person to proactively manage his/her own health and lifestyle and establish a strong relationship with their pharmacist

Advise the public on the benefits of consulting the pharmacist as an expert health care professional when looking to self-care

Encourage the person to advise family and friends to consult a pharmacist or other appropriate health care professionals in the case of health complaints

Help improve the awareness of the public and health care professionals to utilize self-care to address public health issues of current importance