Over-the-counter drug

Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are <a href="/facts/Medication/h9mhwWP2">medicines</a> sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a <a href="/facts/Medical_prescription/4jt1T3mY">prescription</a> from a healthcare professional, as opposed to <a href="/facts/Prescription_drugs/a2zNYPMq">prescription drugs</a>, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescription. In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a <a href="/facts/Regulatory_agency/VXSrsDSM">regulatory agency</a> to ensure that they contain ingredients that are safe and effective when used without a <a href="/facts/Physician/qJ3woFvG">physician</a>'s care. OTC drugs are usually regulated according to their <a href="/facts/Active_pharmaceutical_ingredient/oeDx5S19">active pharmaceutical ingredient</a> (API) and strengths of final products.
The term over-the-counter (OTC) refers to a medication that can be purchased without a medical prescription. In contrast, <a href="/facts/Prescription_drug/a2zNYPMq">prescription drugs</a> require a prescription from a doctor or other health care professional and should only be used by the prescribed individual. Some drugs may be legally classified as over-the-counter (i.e. no prescription is required), but may only be dispensed by a <a href="/facts/Pharmacist/YakY9Lk9">pharmacist</a> after an assessment of the patient's needs or the provision of <a href="/facts/Patient_education/mpDhLQlz">patient education</a>. Regulations detailing the establishments where drugs may be sold, who is authorized to dispense them, and whether a prescription is required vary considerably from country to country.

Over-the-counter drug open-in-new

Over-the-counter drug