Abstract:

Over The Counter (OTC) drug group, which is known as over-the-counter drug, is simply defined as an over-the-counter drug. This group of medicines are medicines that the individual can provide without prescription from the pharmacy in order to provide self-treatment according to his / her own needs without physician control. In this context, the widespread use, use, advantages and disadvantages of OTC drugs, one of the most important factors affecting rational drug use in the study, are emphasized. In recent years, governments have been encouraged to put OTC forms of prescription drugs on the market because of various reasons, such as saving money on health spending, and various legal regulations are being made for this purpose. In addition to the advantages such as the widespread use of OTC products, the increased convenience of transportation and the increase in the level of disease awareness indirectly caused by the increase of OTC market, drug abuse, masking of serious symptoms, and increased cost of treatment for the patient. In summary, it is thought that drugs converted from prescription status to OTC product status will contribute to health spending, which seems to cause more health expenditure. Therefore, the implementation of a number of legal regulations to prevent the use of unreasonable drugs is thought to require pharmacists to play a more collaborative and enforcing role in the treatment process.

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