Guwahati, Nov 17: For Surangana Goswami, reaching for a pill has slowly become second nature. What started as an occasional shortcut; something to tackle a cold, acidity, or a sudden fever, has settled into a monthly routine of two to three bouts of self-treatment.

Painkillers, antacids, paracetamol, nausea tablets and, sometimes, even antibiotics now sit within easy reach, guided by a mix of pharmacist advice and online dosage checks.

Her pattern is far from isolated. It’s a behaviour doctors in the city say they’re encountering with growing frequency - individuals treating symptoms on the fly, bolstered by a quick internet search or a well-meant suggestion from family and friends.

The ready availability of medical information, and misinformation, has created a perception that these f

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