1. Historical background to self-care.- 2. Facts and issues in self-care.- 3. Use and misuse of home medicines.- Supplementary discussion — points for consideration.- Supplementary discussion.- 4. Home medicines — communication, advertising and education.- Supplementary discussion — points for consideration.- Supplementary discussion.- 5. Products for home medication.- Supplementary discussion — points for consideration.- Supplementary discussion.- 6. Relations with health care professions and public.- Supplementary discussion — points for consideration.- Supplementary discussion.- 7. Self-medication in the context of self-care: a review.- 8. Concluding commentary.