About Us

The Latin American Association of Responsible Self-Care (ILAR) is a Latin American nonprofit organization that works to promote self-care in the use of Non-Prescription Medicines, optimizing resources and social welfare systems and contributing to public health through responsible medication.

Founded in December 2001, the Association is formed by manufacturers of products and leading pharmaceutical companies in the region as well as National OTCs Associations, committed to the proper use of non-prescription medicines in Latin America.

ILAR is also member of the Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF), non governmental organization that have official relationship with the World Health Organization (WHO) and to which it belongs along with 54 other associations of the five continents.

Our Vision is to improve the health of Latin American citizens through responsible self-care.

For this reason, at ILAR we assume the Mission of creating a favorable environment that promotes the adoption and practice of self-care through:

● EDUCATION: Expand and deepen the regional understanding of the value of self-care for public health and the positive impact of the responsible use of non-prescription drugs;

● REGULATION: Support the development of regulations focused on responsible self-care;

● INVESTIGATION: Strengthen the factual evidence base to convey the value of access, communication and the importance of user selection based on information.

¿What we think?

At ILAR we are convinced of the importance of self-care in the health of Latin American citizens. This power of decision is a fundamental asset for the maintenance and protection of the health and well-being of the population and positions the non-prescription medicines as a key element in the treatment of minor ailments for a large part of the population.

In order for this right of choice to be exercised, an adequate context is necessary, which facilitates access to the necessary information on these products.

At ILAR, we work to promote the responsible use of non-prescription medicines. For this, it is fundamental:

  • That the user knows about the available medications and can differentiate them from those that do require a prescription.
  • That the user has access to information on how and when to use them and in which cases it is necessary to go to the doctor.
  • That the non-prescription medicines are of wide and easy access to the population, so that they can fulfill their purpose of alleviating minor ailments in a timely manner.