The Global Self-Care Federation (GSCF) is the leading global advocate for self-care, working to ensure that self-care is recognised, integrated, and supported in health policies at the national, regional, and global levels. Our policy work is driven by a conviction that self-care is a fundamental component of people-centred health systems and an essential enabler of universal health coverage.
119|GSCF engages with governments, international organisations, civil society, and other stakeholders to promote policies that empower individuals and communities to take an active role in maintaining their own health. Our advocacy is grounded in evidence, guided by our members' expertise, and aligned with WHO's strategic priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.
120|GSCF advocates for the inclusion of self-care interventions in national UHC benefit packages and essential medicines lists. We work with policymakers to demonstrate how self-care can expand access to health services, reduce out-of-pocket expenditures, and improve health outcomes, particularly for underserved and marginalised populations. Our advocacy emphasises the need to integrate self-care into primary healthcare delivery and to train healthcare workers in supporting patients' self-care practices.
128| 129|Self-care can play a vital role in strengthening health systems by reducing unnecessary demand on healthcare facilities, enabling healthcare professionals to focus on more complex cases, and empowering individuals to manage minor ailments and chronic conditions independently. GSCF advocates for policies that recognise self-care as a formal component of health service delivery, that support community-based self-care initiatives, and that invest in health literacy and self-care education for all age groups.
131| 132|Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Self-care interventions — including responsible self-medication for minor symptoms, lifestyle modifications, adherence to prescribed treatments, and regular self-monitoring — can significantly reduce the burden of NCDs. GSCF advocates for the integration of self-care interventions into national NCD prevention and control strategies, including through regulatory frameworks that facilitate access to evidence-based self-care products and services.
134| 135|Effective self-care requires health literate populations who can access, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions. GSCF advocates for policies that promote health literacy from an early age, that provide accessible and reliable health information through multiple channels, and that support digital health literacy as technology increasingly shapes how people manage their health. We also advocate for the responsible provision of self-care information by industry, in compliance with regulatory frameworks and ethical standards.
137| 138|GSCF advocates for proportionate, risk-based regulatory frameworks that ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of self-care products while facilitating timely and affordable access for consumers. Our policy work addresses regulatory barriers that unnecessarily restrict access to established self-care products, supports the appropriate reclassification of medicines from prescription to non-prescription status, and promotes the development of clear, evidence-based criteria for determining which products are suitable for self-care use.
140|GSCF engages directly with national governments and health ministries to promote self-care-friendly policies. This includes providing technical assistance on the development of national self-care strategies, submitting comments on proposed legislation and regulations affecting self-care products, and facilitating dialogue between government officials and industry experts. Through these engagements, GSCF helps ensure that national policies reflect the latest evidence on self-care effectiveness and the real-world needs of consumers.
148| 149|GSCF participates in major global policy events and processes, including the World Health Assembly, the United Nations High-Level Meetings on Universal Health Coverage and NCDs, the WHO Global Conference on Primary Health Care, and the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) Congress. These platforms provide opportunities to present the self-care perspective, share evidence and best practices, and build alliances with like-minded organisations.
151| 152|GSCF develops and disseminates position papers, policy briefs, and advocacy materials that articulate the self-care industry's perspective on key health policy issues. These documents are informed by the latest scientific evidence, reflect the expertise of GSCF members, and are designed to support policymakers, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders in understanding the value and potential of self-care. Topics covered include self-care and UHC, regulatory reform, health literacy, and the role of self-care in pandemic preparedness and response.
154| 155|GSCF recognises that effective advocacy requires collaboration. We work in partnership with other organisations that share our commitment to self-care and people-centred health systems, including patient advocacy groups, healthcare professional organisations, academic institutions, and other industry associations. Through these partnerships, we amplify our advocacy impact, reach new audiences, and contribute to a broader movement for health system transformation.
157|GSCF is committed to measuring and reporting on the impact of its policy and advocacy work. Our impact assessment framework tracks progress across several dimensions:
163|Through rigorous measurement and continuous learning, GSCF ensures that its policy work remains strategic, effective, and responsive to the evolving needs of the self-care sector and the communities it serves.
170| View Our Impact 171|GSCF members play a vital role in shaping our policy agenda and advocacy activities. Through our Policy Committee and working groups, members contribute their expertise to the development of position papers, participate in advocacy delegations, and help identify emerging policy issues that require attention.
177|We also welcome engagement from non-member stakeholders — including policymakers, researchers, healthcare professionals, and civil society organisations — who share our commitment to advancing self-care as a pillar of sustainable health systems.
178| Contact Us 179| Become a Member 180|