How Do I Choose the Best Over-the-Counter Cough Medicine?

OTC is the abbreviation of over the counter, that is, over-the-counter drugs, refers to those that do not require a doctor's prescription, and consumers can buy them directly in the pharmacy or pharmacy. OTC was formally proposed for drug classification management in 1996.

Over-the-counter medicines are converted from prescription medicines. They are drugs that have been used for a long period of time, have confirmed efficacy, are of stable quality, and can be used safely by non-medical professionals.

Chinese name: Non-prescription drugs
Foreign name: OTC, Over The Counter
Meaning: Medicines that do not require a doctor's prescription
Species: Two (Chinese patent medicine, chemical drugs)

Chinese patent medicine: 4621 types (including repeated instructions) ^[1]
chemical: 1188 kinds (including repeated instructions) ^[1]
Set up time: Formally proposed drug classification management in 1996
For people: Non-medical professionals

otc definition and meaning

Non-prescription drugs

OTC classification chart (3 photos)

This is the most common explanation. OTC is the abbreviation of Over The Counter in English, which refers to over-the-counter drugs in the pharmaceutical industry.

OTC (Over The Counter) over-the-counter medicine is defined by the Department of Medical Affairs of the Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China: It is a drug that consumers can buy directly from a pharmacy or drug store without a doctor's prescription, and it can be used safely without the guidance of a medical professional Medicines, that is, medicines that can be purchased and used by oneself without the prescription of a licensed physician or assistant physician.

OTC is divided into OTC A and OTC. Class A (red) can be sold in hospitals and drug stores; Class B (green) can be sold in hospitals, drug stores, supermarkets, hotels and other places.

In contrast to OTC, RX refers to medicines that can only be purchased with the prescription of a licensed physician or doctor.

Because over-the-counter medicines can be taken without the guidance of a physician, over-the-counter medicines are generally safe, effective, inexpensive, and convenient. Relevant persons specifically summarize their characteristics as follows:

It does not require a doctor's prescription and is not used under the supervision of a doctor.
Indications are conditions that patients can judge for themselves. The medicines have precise curative effects, are convenient and safe to use, and have rapid onset of action.
Generally, it can relieve the discomfort of patients, reduce the initial symptoms of small diseases or prevent their worsening, and also reduce the symptoms that have been diagnosed or delay the development of symptoms.
It does not contain toxic or addictive ingredients, is not easy to accumulate in the body, does not cause drug resistance, and has a low incidence of adverse reactions.
Stored under normal conditions with stable quality.
The specifications of non-prescription drugs for different users are different, and the description text is easy to understand. It can be used correctly under the guidance of labels and instructions.
The characteristics of OTC drugs: safe, effective, convenient and economical. OTC drugs have been clinically tested for many years before being put on the market and have been widely recognized by consumers.

At present, China has a total of 1139 OTC pharmaceutical chemicals and 4376 Chinese medicines (as of April 15, 2008). All information can be found on the website of the State Food and Drug Administration: OTC chemical drug product specification template , OTC TCM instruction manual template.

otc development history

OTC medicines have a history of more than 60 years. It is the product of increasing self-care awareness and increasing self-medication awareness. OTC has become an industry, and it must be noted that pharmaceutical production has also become an area with huge profits.

Some countries in the world have already implemented over-the-counter drug management systems, which must be brought into line with China's economic development and medical reform. Western developed countries began to implement a drug classification management system in the 1970s, converting some prescription drugs to over-the-counter drugs, and encouraging individuals to bear some medical expenses, such as the use of over-the-counter drugs for some minor injuries and minor diseases.

The Chinese government formally proposed drug classification management in 1996. In the same year, it was led by the Ministry of Health, and seven ministries and commissions jointly established an over-the-counter drug (OTC) office. After the establishment of the State Drug Administration in 1998, the OTC management work was carried out by the Safety Supervision Department of the Drug Administration. On July 22, 1999, China formally issued the "Administrative Measures for the Classification of Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs (Trial)", and announced the first batch of national over-the-counter drug catalogs (western medicines and proprietary Chinese medicines). The "administrative measures" were issued on January 1, 2000 Effective from today.

According to the data survey, the current situation of OTC and self-treatment by people around the world is as follows: 60% to 95% of the illness is initially treated with some form of self-care (or health care). On average, 60% of the world s population takes one drug per day, of which 57% is self-medication. In the United States, there are 4 times more people treated with OTC medicines when they have disease problems than those who seek medical treatment, and 92% of consumers are satisfied with the efficacy of OTC medicines. According to a survey in South Korea in 1991, 63% of minor problems were treated after consultation in a pharmacy. Those who go to the hospital often go to the pharmacy for some minor problems. The trend of self-medication is not different between the rich and the poor. Overall situation of using OTC drugs: 33% in the United States, 28% in Australia, 28% in Germany, 24% in Spain, 24% in the United Kingdom, 22% in Switzerland, 21% in Mexico, 20% in Italy, and 16% in Japan. China's medical expenses have been increasing year by year. Since 1978, the average annual growth rate of public expenditure on medical expenses has been 20.8%, which has exceeded the average annual growth rate of national economic development and fiscal revenue.

China's existing medical system has a single source of cost, narrow coverage (only less than 1/5 of the population can be guaranteed), low socialization, and overemphasis on welfare. Countries in the world implemented classified management not only provided the public with safe, effective, reliable, and easy-to-use over-the-counter medicines, but also played a significant role in reducing medical expenses, rationally using limited health resources, changing public health concepts, and promoting the health care system.

otc development status

process status

The size of China's OTC market is constantly expanding. Statistics show that China s OTC market was only about 25.3 billion yuan in 2000, but by 2011, the size of the Chinese OTC market had reached 175 billion yuan, a growth rate of nearly 6 times in 10 years, and surpassing Japan, becoming the world s second-most Two major OTC markets.

However, the overall competition pattern of the domestic OTC industry is very fragmented, and no single company has a single share of more than 10%. The sales revenue of the top 40 typical companies in the OTC industry accounted for only 20.22% of the total sales of the Chinese medicine and chemical pharmaceutical industries, and the market concentration was low.

Among the domestic OTC manufacturers, there are many large and well-known enterprises such as Amendment Pharmaceuticals, Yunnan Baiyao, Harbin Pharmaceutical Group, Jiangzhong Pharmaceutical, and East Ejiao. Most of them are small and medium-sized enterprises with relatively weak capital and technology. The entry of numerous domestic companies and multinational companies determines the fierce and chaotic competition in China's OTC market. "Famous opera and brand differentiation" are its main characteristics.

market Overview

Due to the downturn in the prescription drug market, many pharmaceutical companies have begun to turn their attention to OTC, and the Chinese non-prescription drug market is extremely active. In 2007, the OTC market continued to expand, and the sales of branded OTC products generally increased. The leading OTC brand products in various categories increased to varying degrees. China's OTC medicines are directly oriented to consumers. They are consumer-centered, and consumers buy them on their own. They do not need to go through a doctor. They show more characteristics of general consumer products than prescription drugs. Has great potential. It is expected that by 2010 China will become one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in the world, with OTC sales reaching 30-40% of global pharmaceutical sales, and in 2020 it will become the world's largest pharmaceutical market.

In addition, China's urban population is growing at a rate of about 20 million every year, and the demand for over-the-counter medicines by urban residents will promote the development of this market; the aging trend of the Chinese population is accelerating, and the medical consumption of this group of people is increasing; the income of urban residents is increasing Faster, its medical and health expenses have also increased correspondingly; the basic medical insurance system and the reform of the medical system have greatly accelerated the growth of the over-the-counter drug market. With the comprehensive promotion of rural "two networks", medical insurance and the new rural cooperative medical system, the rural drug market has gradually become a new hot spot. China's OTC market is very promising.

OTC otc OTC difference

Drug classification management is based on the principles of safe and effective medicines and easy to use medicines. According to their varieties, specifications, indications, and administration routes, medicines are managed according to prescription drugs and "OTC". This classification has strict regulations, management systems and supervision. The State Drug Administration has prescribed all kinds of drugs that have great pharmacological effects, treat severe illnesses, and are susceptible to adverse reactions. They can only be used under the guidance of a doctor. Prescription drugs are the main medicines used by doctors to help patients with illnesses. Therefore, the doctor prescribing such medicine must have the professional qualifications of a physician, and the sick patient must purchase and use it under the supervision of a doctor.

Over-the-counter medicines are medicines that are convenient for consumers to self-care and are used to quickly and effectively alleviate minor illnesses. They do not require a doctor to prescribe. They can make their own judgments, choose to buy and use them. Over-the-counter medicines mainly include cold medicine, cough medicine, analgesics, digestive aids, anti-acid medicines, vitamins, deworming medicines, tonic medicines, laxatives, topical medicines, contraceptives, skin care medicines, etc. Drugs that are listed as over-the-counter drugs generally undergo a long period of comprehensive investigation and have the following advantages: They have exact curative effects, small toxic and side effects, convenient use, and convenient storage.

The State Drug Administration also clearly requires that the labels and instructions of over-the-counter drugs be very detailed. In addition to the drug name, the contents of the drug instructions also require the main ingredients, pharmacological effects, indications, dosages, adverse reactions, contraindications of the drug. , Precautions, production date, expiration date, storage method and approval text, etc., so that the patient can make self-judgment according to the symptoms of his body, and then perform self-treatment according to the instructions.

Some people think that "OTC" is less effective than prescription drugs. Some do not take according to the instructions, increase the dose or shorten the interval time; others do not believe in "OTC", and still go to the hospital to find a doctor according to habits, which has delayed a lot of effort. In fact, both situations are misunderstandings. Clinically, some experienced specialists also often use over-the-counter medicines to treat patients in order to reduce the toxic and side effects of prescription medicines or improve their efficacy. It can be seen that prescription drugs and "OTC" are not the difference between "good" and "bad" efficacy.

Although "OTC" facilitates the treatment of patients, we must not forget the folk warning that "it is a drug with three poisons". We must be alert to the phenomenon of illness caused by improper use. It should be applied according to the condition and we must prevent blind use of large doses. The bad tendency of heavy dose treatment. At the same time, if you want to purchase over-the-counter medicines, you must go to a regular pharmacy that hangs a unified national Red Cross light box and hangs a "drug business license" and "business license" in the store. Ask the salesperson who has a pharmacist card in the store to ask what medicine to buy. At the same time, it is recommended that patients who use over-the-counter drugs should establish a purchase record book, which will record whether there are allergic reactions after use of the drug and how to use the method and efficacy in detail to provide a reference for future drug purchases.

Over-the-counter medicines are called Over The Counter (OTC), or OTC for short, which has become a common name in the world. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs are not essential attributes of drugs, but management definitions. Both prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs are approved by the State Drug Administration and their safety and effectiveness are guaranteed. Among them, over-the-counter drugs are mainly used to treat a variety of common minor diseases that are easily self-diagnosed and self-treated by consumers.

Class A and B over-the-counter drugs

Over-the-counter medicines are transformed from prescription medicines. They are drugs that have been used for a long time, have confirmed efficacy, are of stable quality, and can be used safely by non-medical professionals. However, in OTC medicines, there are more detailed classifications. The white ones on the red background are Class A and the white ones on the green background are Class B. Although both OTC A and B OTC can be purchased in pharmacies, OTC OTC drugs are more safe. In addition to being sold in pharmacies, Class B over-the-counter drugs can also be sold in supermarkets, hotels, department stores, etc.

How to identify over-the-counter drugs

(1) According to the "Administrative Measures for the Classification of Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs (Trial)", the packaging of over-the-counter drugs must be printed with the country's designated over-the-counter proprietary label (OTC). Class A over-the-counter drugs are marked in red and Class B over-the-counter drugs are marked in green.

(2) According to the Provisional Regulations on the Administration of the Distribution of Prescription Drugs and OTC Drugs (Trial), the corresponding advice for non-prescription drugs entering the field of drug circulation should be prominently printed by the enterprise on the drug packaging or drug instruction manual. The specific content is: Please read the drug manual carefully and use it according to the instructions or purchase and use under the guidance of a pharmacist.

Characteristics of adverse reactions

Any drug has toxic side effects, just to varying degrees. Over-the-counter drugs are safer and relatively speaking. If the cause is unknown and the condition is unclear, it is better not to use over-the-counter drugs. If the medicine does not work or shows signs of exacerbation, or even rash, pruritus, high fever, asthma, and other abnormalities occur, you should stop the medicine immediately and go to the hospital for treatment.

The first batch of over-the-counter western medicines in China were 165 varieties in 23 categories, and there were 160 varieties of proprietary Chinese medicines, but each type of medicine contained a different dosage form.

Advertising

All countries in the world that implement the classification and management system for prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs have strictly stipulated that prescription drugs must not be advertised to the public, but their product information is allowed to be disseminated in academic journals of the medical industry. China stipulates that: "prescription drugs are only allowed to be advertised in professional medical newspapers, and over-the-counter drugs can be advertised in the mass media after approval." And other countries have different restrictions on advertising over-the-counter drugs to the public, such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, New Zealand and other countries allow advertisements for over-the-counter medicines, while Italy, Spain, France and other countries do not allow advertisements for reimbursable over-the-counter medicines and over-the-counter medicines using prescription drug brands. Except for other over-the-counter medicines, they need to have a certificate of approval before they can advertise. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allows prescription drugs to be advertised on television, but must have the phrase "under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist."

Focus on changes to the OTC inventory

After the implementation of over-the-counter drug regulations, it is not static. It will be re-evaluated every 3 to 5 years to promote innovation and survival of the fittest to ensure the effectiveness and safety of OTC. With the development of medical technology, a large number of new drugs are launched on the market, and the understanding of each OTC is also deepening. Some prescription drugs are unlikely to become over-the-counter drugs, but they may also become OTC after changing the dosage form or reducing the prescribed dose, that is, It is said that those with better performance, safer and more effective over-the-counter medicines are added, and some outdated over-the-counter medicines are eliminated. For example, the main categories of OTC in the world are the following 6: antipyretic and analgesics, antitussive anti-cold medicine, digestive system medicine, skin diseases Medications, tonics, vitamins, trace elements and additives. The following types of drugs may be marketed as OTC after conversion: anti-asthma drugs, oral contraceptives, muscle relaxants, cardiovascular drugs (excluding calcium antagonists) and anti-infective drugs.

otc health day

Every year, July 24th is the International Self-Health Day. In order to popularize the concepts, knowledge, and skills of "self-care" and "responsible self-medication" to the public, to educate the public on the correct use of OTC medicines and improve their public health, the initiative of the World Association of Self-Medication Therapy Industry (WSMI) On July 24, 2011, the China Non-Prescription Drug Association, China Foundation for Medical and Health Care Development, China Pharmaceutical Association and Beijing Health Promotion Working Committee initiated the establishment of the "International Self-Health Day." The meaning of July 24 is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. People must pay attention to the health of themselves and their families at all times.

On July 24, 2012, in order to commemorate the success of China's International Self-Health Day 2011, WSMI decided to hold an international self-care day in Shanghai on July 24, 2012. The 2012 theme, "Self-care: Be kind to yourself," expresses two aspects of caring for the body's own personal benefit through self-care. Self-care is a "win-win" behavior that benefits the public's public health, saves public health care budgets, improves the efficiency of healthcare professionals' effective use of time, and encourages efficient and competitive industries to supply self-care products.

otc e-commerce road

China's pharmaceutical e-commerce started in 2005, and Pharmacy.com obtained the first domestic medical B2C license. Evolving to this day, enterprises that launch pharmaceutical e-commerce companies need to apply for the "Internet Drug Transaction Service Qualification Certificate", including the A certificate of third-party platform qualification, the B certificate of B2B qualification of pharmaceutical production and wholesale enterprises, and the C certificate of B2C qualification of self-operated medicine.

In November 2016, e-commerce platforms such as Tmall and No. 1 Store were unable to provide online OTC drug transactions, and only retained drug information display and cash on delivery. Medical e-commerce is mainly based on self-operated channels.

The third-party platform for online drug retail trials was stopped, and a bucket of cold water was poured on the Double Eleven Carnival of pharmaceutical e-commerce ^[2] .