Over-the-counter drug facts for kids
The term over-the-counter (OTC) refers to a medication that can be purchased without a medical prescription. In contrast, prescription drugs 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 pharmacist after an assessment of the patient's needs or the provision of patient education. 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.
In many countries, OTC drugs are selected by a regulatory agency to ensure that they contain ingredients that are safe and effective when used without a physician's care.
Contents
Usage
As of 2011, around a third of older adults in the U.S. reportedly used OTC drugs. By 2018, the number of adults in the U.S. who use TC drugs as first-line treatment for minor illnesses had reached 81%.
Related pages
Images for kids
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OTC medication with child-resistant packaging (cap) and tamper-resistant carton and innerseal
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Photo of the packaging of four medicines showing their Product Licence Numbers and symbols denoting if they are Prescription Only Medicine (POM) or Pharmacy Medicine (P)
See also
In Spanish: Medicamento de venta libre para niños
