What Are the Benefits of Regulating OTC Drugs?
Millions of people rely on over the counter (OTC) drugs for common ailments such as a cold, fever or backache. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established certain criteria for safe and effective drugs that OTC drug makers must comply with.
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Features
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The FDA has approved some 270 active ingredients that are deemed safe and effective in OTC drugs. Drug makers must also comply with certain dosage requirements established by the regulatory body.
Safety
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Unlike prescription drugs, which are administered by a doctor, OTC drugs are widely available on store shelves. Regulators adhere to a "wider margin of safety" on OTC drugs for this reason, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association.
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Cost
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People seeking relief from symptoms of common ailments and some diseases can avoid the cost of a doctor's visit by purchasing OTC drugs and can still have confidence that the medicine meets necessary criteria. Also, OTC drugs are generally less expensive than prescription medicines.
Types
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The FDA includes a wide array of medicines under the OTC drug umbrella. In addition to aspirin and acetaminophen, some self-hygiene items, including certain toothpastes, mouthwashes and dandruff shampoos must satisfy OTC guidelines.
History
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The FDA did not begin regulating drugs until 1938 as a result of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. It wasn't until 1951, however, that the FDA clearly made a delineation between prescription and OTC drugs.
Advancements
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In November 2009, the FDA announced a program to prevent accidental drug overdoses, which included standardizing dosage cups. Medicine errors are responsible for as many as four million trips to hospital emergency rooms annually in the United States, according to the FDA.
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References
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- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Caleb
