Objective The disease migraine affects a large share of the German population and is linked to a high economic potential in terms of direct and indirect sickness costs. Triptans are the recommended treatment in the case of an acute migraine attack. Both, the disease and its appropriate treatment are of interest in the context of self-medication and Rx-to-OTC switch efforts. Therefore, a survey was carried out with the intention to collect data among migraine patients regarding the use of analgesics in general and of triptans specifically. This data can be the basis for further health economic considerations. Methods By an online survey among 206 migraine patients, different data regarding patients suffering from migraine, the frequency and sort of symptoms and the use of analgesics in general as well as triptans specifically was collected and analysed. A special focus was on symptoms affecting patients’ productivity, their use of triptans and their satisfaction with the current supply situation with triptans. Results The survey revealed among other findings that most patients suffer from symptoms which limit their productivity or their ability to work and make an immediate treatment necessary. Most patients know well about their disease and feel able to treat themselves in the context of self-medication once they are diagnosed by a physician. In this context a demand for further triptans available without a prescription could be identified. This is specifically, because patients respond differently to various triptans. Therefore, a larger variety of prescription free triptans would increase the number of patients with access to OTC triptans significantly. Conclusion Most survey respondents know well about their disease and the appropriate treatment and feel able to treat themselves within the scope of self-medication. Nevertheless, they mostly respond to one triptan only. In the case of an acute migraine attack an immediate treatment is required, ideal is an intake of triptans as soon as first symptoms occur. In this context pharmacies play an important role as fast and low-threshold access point to medications. Because only a limited number of patients responds to the already prescription free available triptans, there is a demand for further Rx-to-OTC switches of triptans among migraine patients which should be considered in further switch efforts in Germany.

Objectives To demonstrate the different monetary and time-related costs associated with the treatment of minor ailments (MAs) in the case of a general practitioner (GP) visit or self-medication with non-prescription medicines as an essential part of self-care in European countries. Ultimately, this is also intended to enable health policy statements with regard to an efficient allocation of resources in outpatient care. Methods A simplified decision-analytical model is applied in which the self-purchase of a non-prescription medicine and a GP visit are considered as partial substitutes from the patient's perspective. In order to compare the decision paths of GP visit and self-medication in the sense of a cost-minimisation approach, the most relevant direct and indirect cost types are identified. Thirty countries are clustered following socioeconomic criteria. The value of self-medication is calculated for an individual MA case per Country Cluster, then the data is extrapolated to the entire population of countries and aggregated to a European value. Status quo and potential scenarios as well as relevant perspectives (patient, GP, healthcare system, national economy) are considered. Sensitivity analyses are conducted. Results Almost 1.2 billion MA cases are treated by self-medication in Europe p.a., saving EUR 26.31 billion in direct costs and EUR 10.41 billion in indirect costs (status quo). On average, one euro spent on OTC medicines by consumers saves national healthcare systems and economies EUR 6.70. 10–25% of current GP visits could be substituted by self-care, creating an additional savings potential of EUR 17.60 billion. Conclusion The study results reveal that self-medication in European countries is already associated with a high economic and social value for the individual and society. It is evident that current savings could be further increased by promoting self-care. Through responsible self-medication supported by an adequate health policy, resources and significant efficiency reserves for healthcare systems as well as national economies can be released. The resources freed up through an adequate self-care policy can play a significant role in building more resilient healthcare systems across Europe.