Introduction:The World Health Organization has reported that more than 50% of medicines are prescribed or sold innapropiately around the world and that 50% of patients do not take their medicines correctly.The most common forms of innapropiate drug use include polypharmacy, incorrect use of antibiotics, self-medication, and non-adherence to treatment.The aim of this research was to determine the epidemiology of the consumption of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs.Material and methods: Through a structured interview, information was obtained about the consumption of medicines in an adult population of Buenos Aires province.A total of 254 people who had been on drug treatment for at least 2 months were interviewed. Results:The main chronic pathologies treated with drugs in the study sample were hypertension, hypothyroidism, diabetes, anxiety and depression.In relation to the type of medicines consumed, 30% of them were sold over the counter in the group of people over 50 years of age, and more than 72% of them were polymedicated.Adherence to treatment as indicated by the physician was 65%. Conclusion:We consider that it is essential to carry out awareness campaigns on the use of medicines, the risk of self-medication and polypharmacy, with the aim of preventing the medicine misuse.