We understand self-managed health to mean people who obtain and use medicines without prescription or without formal support from medical institutions.

We ask how and why people self-manage using medications outside of healthcare settings.

• Why do people seek out medications and treatments through informal channels?
• How do they get information about the treatments they need, the products they will buy, and the online vendors who sell quality products?
• How do they find support through online communities to obtain and use medications informally?