Vol. 7, Issue 1, Part D (2025)

The over-the-counter drugs are the medications or product which can be used by a patient without any prescription from physician. The drugs are used for self-medication in the treatment of minor ailments such as headaches, muscle pain, common cold and allergies. This article review provides information about the overview of OTC drugs, their benefits and risk factors and growth in the trend of self-medication. It gives out a summary of shifting the drug from prescription to non-prescription drugs and also includes the transition in countries such as India and USA. As the OTC drugs are cost-saving, time saving and reduce the workload on the healthcare system and give them more time to work on serious major health conditions of patient. The improper usage, incorrect dosing, misuse, lack of consumer education can lead to the adverse effects such as drug resistance, side effects and drug interactions. This review provides the benefits of OTC drugs to improve public awareness and also explain the importance of guidance and education to ensure the safe and effective use of drug. It also counsels the patient not to misuse and abuse of the drug as it can create serious consequences. The role of pharmacists in the reduction of abuse and misuse of the OTC drugs by different strategies. As pharmacist act as a barrier in the misuse of the OTC drug by making out counselling and spreading awareness related to the misuse and abuse of the OTC drugs. Most common strategies are: to reduce the supply and claiming the product out of stock to patient.