Gen Z, AI chatbots and Pakistan’s self-medication crisis

By Syeda Emaan Aamir

ISLAMABAD, Aug 8 (APP)::A headache, sore throat, acne flare-up or sleepless night no longer always sends young Pakistanis to a doctor. Increasingly, many turn to AI chatbots, social media platforms or search engines for quick answers, compare symptoms online and head to pharmacies for medicines.

Although AI tools repeatedly advise users that they cannot replace medical professionals, health experts say many people ignore these warnings and use digital information as a substitute for proper diagnosis.

As artificial intelligence, TikTok, Instagram and Google become common sources of health advice, Dr Khalid Islam, former MS Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi talking to APP warned that; “Pakistan’s Generation Z is increasingly treating symptoms instead of seeking medical evaluation. Easy access to medicines, rising healthcare costs and the influence of online personalities have contributed to a growing culture of self-medication.”

For many young people, online reviews, influencer recommendations and advice from friends appear to offer quick and affordable solutions. However, medical professionals caution that unsupervised use of medicines can lead to serious consequences, including antibiotic resistance, harmful drug interactions, delayed diagnosis and complications from incorrect treatment.

A case from Rawalpindi highlights these risks. Dua, a 28-year-old resident, started using Slim Fast Drops for weight loss while also taking antibiotics for a throat infection. Weeks later, she developed severe liver pain and was diagnosed with Hepatitis A. Doctors say cases like this demonstrate the dangers of combining medicines and supplements without professional guidance.

Dermatologist Dr Nida Rizwan talking to this agency said social media has significantly influenced how young people choose skincare products. Many users purchase creams, serums and medicated products after watching online reviews without understanding their own skin condition and risks associated with these products.

She said products suitable for one person may damage another person’s skin by weakening the skin barrier, worsening acne, causing irritation or leading to other complications. She strictly advised people to consult qualified dermatologists before using medicated skincare products instead of following online trends.

The problem is not limited to skincare. Health experts are also concerned about the growing number of unqualified individuals on TikTok, Facebook and other platforms who present themselves as health experts or traditional healers and Hakeems despite lacking recognised medical qualifications.

Through dramatic before-and-after videos, sponsored promotions and exaggerated claims, such individuals often market herbal remedies, weight-loss products and cosmetic treatments as quick solutions. The health experts have warned that misleading health content can delay proper treatment and expose users to unnecessary risks.

Pharmacists say they are witnessing the impact of this trend directly. Mubeen, a pharmacist at Heal-Up Pharmacy in Rawalpindi, talking to this scribe said many customers arrive already convinced about the medicines they need after reading online content or receiving advice from family and friends.

He said government’s efforts to restrict the sale of prescription medicines without valid prescriptions are a positive step, but stronger enforcement and public awareness are needed to reduce unnecessary and irrational use of medicines.

The students have also acknowledge that self-medication has become common in educational institutions.

” Painkillers and anti-histamine are frequently used during examinations for headaches, fatigue and seasonal allergies, while antibiotics are often taken for sore throats without the advice of a qualified consultant.” Afeera, a student at Fazaia Bilquis College for Women Rawalpindi; said talking to this agency.

Doctors believe the growing dependence on digital platforms reflects a major shift in how young people access health information. They say self-medication is surprisingly more common among the educated than the illiterate, largely because easy access to AI chatbots and online information creates a false sense of confidence in self-diagnosis. While these tools can help users understand symptoms, they are not designed to diagnose illnesses or prescribe exact treatment.

Experts say the challenge is to ensure that technology serves as a source of awareness, not a substitute for medical care. They call for stronger enforcement of prescription laws, action against misleading online health claims and greater health literacy, stressing that while AI and social media can inform, only qualified healthcare professionals can provide safe diagnosis and treatment.