Title : Global health alert: Tackling the unchecked topical steroid pandemic in India
Abstract:
Topical corticosteroids (TCS) are an indispensable entity in the dermatologist’s armamentarium. Atrophy, telangiectasia, acneiform eruption, striae, and hypopigmentation are commonly seen in cutaneous adverse reactions. The availability of TCS over the counter, coupled with insufficient dermatological training among non-dermatologists, including general practitioners, many of whom lack credibility, contributes significantly to their misuse. Despite ongoing attempts by the Indian government to reclassify TCS as prescription-only medications, they persist in being readily accessible without prescription.
Audience Take Away Notes:
- Presenting real-life scenarios, our objective is to sensitize our audience to the significant consequences of unregulated steroid use
- This helps the audience in tangible understanding, emotional impact, increased awareness, and policy advocacy
- By understanding the real-life impact of unregulated steroid use, designers can create more empathetic and effective messaging, visuals, or user experiences that resonate with the audience
- By grounding the design in real-life scenarios, designers can ensure that their representations of the issue are authentic and true to the experiences of those affected by unregulated steroid use. This accuracy helps to build credibility and trust with the audience, making the design more effective in conveying its intended message
- Hearing about the consequences of steroid misuse firsthand can highlight nuances and subtleties that may not be apparent from a purely theoretical or academic perspective
