Abstract
The first and most important source of new OTC drugs is switch of prescription drugs to OTC status. Other far more marginal sources are new chemical entities, marketed initially as OTC drugs, and new indications for previous OTC drugs. These sources identify an enormous potential for new OTC medicines. The American consumer is now ready and able to properly handle many new OTC drugs that are not yet available. The issue is whether industry, government, and consumers will be able to make the evaluation of OTC drugs proceed as it should to expand the number and kind of OTC drugs available.
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