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Cited by 106Pharmacy and Medical PracticesPharmaceutical Economics and PolicyPharmaceutical industry and healthcare

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Over-the-counter medicines: Global perspective and Indian scenario

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Marathe, PA, Kamat, SK, Tripathi, RK, Raut, SB, Khatri, NP·2020·Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
DOI 10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_381_19PMC PMC6970327
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Abstract

Patients often approach a pharmacist instead of visiting a doctor for minor ailments such as cough, cold, allergies, pain, fever, acidity, diarrhea, and skin-related conditions. Purchase of specific medicines over the counter is legally recognized in most countries. 'Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines' means drugs which are legally allowed to be sold by pharmacists without need for a prescription. The term does not have a legal definition in India. Technically, drugs are OTC unless they are specifically stated as prescription only drugs. OTC drugs allow faster and cheaper access to healthcare; however, their misuse and adverse health effects cause concerns. This article describes concept of OTC medicines and practices in India against the background of globally prevalent regulations and practices. A recognized category of OTC medicines by law, patient awareness programs, and support of pharmacists and pharmaceutical companies are required to optimize the use of OTC medicines in India.

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Metadata

Authors
Marathe, P., Kamat, S., Tripathi, R., Raut, S., & Khatri, N.
Affiliations
  • King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College (IN)
  • Behavioral Neuroscience Group, Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Australia
  • Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Mumbai, India
Corresponding author
Kamat, SK
Venue
Journal of Postgraduate Medicine
Publisher
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Published
2020-01
Volume
66
Issue
1
Pages
28-34
ISSN
  • 0022-3859 (ISSN-L)
  • 0972-2823
DOI
10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_381_19
PMC
PMC6970327
OpenAlex
W3002347355
Cited by
106
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 17 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 4
FWCI
2.41
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Postgraduate Medicine (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UTAS Research Repository (acceptedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc-sa)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Pharmacy and Medical Practices
  • Social Sciences › Economics, Econometrics and Finance › Economics and Econometrics › Pharmaceutical Economics and Policy
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Issues, ethics and legal aspects › Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
Keywords
over-the-counter drugs, prescription-only drugs, pharmacist role, adverse drug reactions, India
MeSH terms
Nonprescription Drugs, Humans, India, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Pharmacists, Public Health, Self Medication, Professional Role

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CoChat. (2026). Citation check: Over-the-counter medicines: Global perspective and Indian scenario. https://app.cochat.ai/papers/10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_381_19
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Marathe, P., Kamat, S., Tripathi, R., Raut, S., & Khatri, N. (2020). Over-the-counter medicines: Global perspective and Indian scenario. Journal of Postgraduate Medicine. https://doi.org/10.4103/jpgm.jpgm_381_19