Public Health Agenda Discussed at TÜKSA Introductory Meeting

The Consumer Health Products Association (TÜKSA) held a presentation meeting titled "Self-Care and Public Health in Turkey" at Mövenpick Hotel on 11 February, addressing the strengthening of public health, increasing health literacy and promoting self-care approaches from a multi-stakeholder perspective.

The meeting, attended by representatives from public bodies, the industry, academia and international organisations, featured discussions on the contribution of consumer health products to public health and the role of the regulatory framework. The programme opened with remarks from Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayar, Head of the Turkish Medicines and Medical Devices Agency (TİTCK) at the Ministry of Health, Avni Dilber, Director General of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance at the Ministry of Trade, and Av. Süleyman Kara, Chairman of TÜKSA's Board of Directors.

Science-Based and Safety-Focused Regulatory Approach
TİTCK Head Prof. Dr. Ahmet Ayar emphasised that the institution's core responsibility is to ensure that products made available to the public are safe, high-quality and effective. Noting that manufacturing processes, content structures and facility standards are evaluated using scientific criteria and risk-based inspection approaches both before and after market launch, Ayar stated that compliance with international standards and continuous oversight are the foundation of consumer safety.

Ayar also said that sustainable production practices must become an integral part of the health sector, and that stakeholders coming together on common ground is of great importance for coordination. He noted that increased health literacy will raise individual awareness levels while reducing the burden on the system.

Emphasis on Balance and Protection in Consumer Health
Avni Dilber, Director General of Consumer Protection and Market Surveillance at the Ministry of Trade, drew attention in particular to the increased responsibility in promoting health-related products with digitalisation. Stating that advertising and claims must be accurate, honest, substantiated and not misleading to consumers, Dilber noted that protecting fair competition is critical for a sustainable market structure.

Highlighting the sensitivity of expressions that can be used in the OTC product category in terms of regulations, Dilber stated that observing legal limits in promotional activities is decisive for public health.

Self-Care Transformation in Global Health Policies
Greg Perry, Director General of the Global Self Care Federation, said self-care is no longer merely an individual choice but has become a strategic necessity for the sustainability of health systems. Noting that increased access to evidence-based over-the-counter products reduces the burden on primary healthcare services, Perry pointed out that the rising awareness following COVID-19 presents an important opportunity.

Health Literacy in a Period of Demographic Transition
Av. Süleyman Kara, Chairman of TÜKSA's Board of Directors, stated that Turkey's demographic changes necessitate individuals taking a more active role in their health processes. Referring to international research, Kara said self-care practices generate billions of dollars in savings globally and significant gains in the workforce.

Stating that strengthening health literacy will contribute both to individuals making sound decisions and to more efficient use of resources, Kara emphasised that TÜKSA will continue to take responsibility in this transformation.

Multi-Dimensional Panels and Presentations

During the meeting, the following panels were held:

- "Strengthening Self-Care Culture through Pharmacies"

- "The Value Chain in Consumer Health in Turkey"

- "The Role of Self-Care in Active Ageing"

- "Health Communication in Strengthening Health Literacy"

Self-care's place in the health system was comprehensively evaluated in these panels.

Additionally, the presentations addressed the effects of self-care on the social security system, preventive health approaches and global OTC regulations through speakers from different fields of expertise. Prof. Dr. Haydar Sur, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Üsküdar University, drew attention to the importance of preventive measures before disease development, while İsmail Sevinç, a Labour and Social Security Expert, pointed to the burden that self-care deficiency places on public finances.