What Are the Differences between Prescription and Non-Prescription Medications?
Prescription medicines are medicines that can only be allocated, purchased, and used with the prescription of a licensed physician or licensed assistant physician; non-prescription medicines are medicines that can be judged, purchased, and used without the need for a physician's prescription. As special items to protect human health, medicines are strictly controlled by relevant laws and regulations in all aspects of development, production, sales, and use. Organizations or individuals participating in these aspects must be granted corresponding authority by the competent government department. It is not arbitrary for users of medicines, that is, consumers of medicines, to obtain and use certain medicines. According to consumers' rights to obtain and use medicines, medicines are currently divided into prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.
- latest news
- Chinese name
- prescription
- Foreign name
- Rx
- Pinyin
- ch fng yào
- Area
- Western Europe, North America
- Related
- Administrative Measures for Classification of Prescription Drugs and OTC Drugs
- Definition
- A prescription issued by a doctor
- Prescription medicines are medicines that can only be allocated, purchased, and used with the prescription of a licensed physician or licensed assistant physician; non-prescription medicines are medicines that can be judged, purchased, and used without the need for a physician's prescription. As special items to protect human health, medicines are strictly controlled by relevant laws and regulations in all aspects of development, production, sales, and use. Organizations or individuals participating in these aspects must be granted corresponding authority by the competent government department. It is not arbitrary for users of medicines, that is, consumers of medicines, to obtain and use certain medicines. According to consumers' rights to obtain and use medicines, medicines are currently divided into prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines.
- So far, developed countries and regions such as Western Europe and North America have established relatively mature classification and management systems for prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs. China's "Administrative Measures for the Classification of Prescription Drugs and OTC Drugs" (trial) was reviewed and approved by the State Drug Administration on June 1, 1999, and promulgated by the State Drug Administration on June 18, 1999. The management measures will be implemented from January 1, 2000.
- 2019-11-30 16:11 A number of laws and regulations will be implemented in December 2019-11-30 16:11
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Starting from December 1, the new edition of the Drug Administration Law will re-define the scope of counterfeit and inferior drugs: drugs imported without approval will no longer be treated as "counterfeit drugs". For a small number of drugs that have been legally marketed abroad without the approval of import, the punishment may be reduced. In addition, with regard to the emerging problem of online sales of prescription drugs in recent years, the newly revised drug management law clearly states that the drug sales network must be interconnected with the information system of medical institutions, and information can be shared to ensure that the source of prescriptions is authentic and to ensure the safety of patients' medications. It must meet the requirements of the quality standards for drug operation. ... more
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Prescription Drug Difference
- prescription
- Over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) refer to drugs that are selected, purchased, or used by the patient according to the instructions for the drug. These drugs have fewer toxic and side effects, are lighter, and are easy to detect. They do not cause drug resistance and addiction. They also have little interaction with other drugs. They have been used clinically for many years and have a positive effect. Over-the-counter medicines are mainly used for mild, stable and well-defined diseases. In a word, over-the-counter medicines are medicines that can be bought at pharmacies at will. However, over-the-counter medicines are born with the development of society and the improvement of people's cultural level. Therefore, we must follow the symptoms of taking medicine, symptomatic medicine, understand medicine, and take medicine according to law (usage, dosage).
- Western developed countries have implemented prescription and over-the-counter medicines for more than 20 years, and the system has been very perfect. There are more than 35,000 over-the-counter medicines in the United States alone. There are four times more people who are treated with over-the-counter medicines than doctors, and 92% of patients are satisfied with the effect of over-the-counter medicines. Going to the hospital for a serious illness and buying medicine for a pharmacy for a minor illness shows great superiority. However, the system of prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs has not yet been implemented. In addition, the public does not know enough about this. Many antibiotics, sleeping pills and other drugs that are definitely prescription drugs can be bought at pharmacies at will. This is a major drawback in many aspects that require international standards. The administration of prescription and over-the-counter medicines for medicines can not only ensure the safe and effective use of medicines, but also help conserve health resources and increase public awareness of self-care. They are of great benefit to promoting the reform of the public medical system at this stage. Hope to be released soon.
- Prescription drugs are referred to as Rx drugs. They are prescribed or approved by the national health administrative department in order to ensure the safety of medication. They need to be written and sold by a physician or other medical professional with prescription rights, and sold to a physician, pharmacist, or other medical professional.
- prescription
- 1. For new drugs on the market, their activity or side effects need further observation.
- 2. Some drugs that can cause dependence, such as morphine analgesics and certain hypnotic drugs.
- 3. The drug itself is relatively toxic, such as anticancer drugs.
- 4. Special medicines required for the treatment of certain diseases, such as medicines for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, must be prescribed by a physician after diagnosis and used under the guidance of a physician. In addition, prescription drugs can only be advertised in professional medical newspapers and not in the mass media.
- Over-the-counter medicine refers to medicines that are convenient for the public to use. Under the premise of ensuring the safety of medications, after being prescribed or approved by the national health administrative department, medicines that can be purchased without a physician or other medical professional can be purchased.
- Follow the drug label and instructions for use. Over-the-counter drugs are also called over-the-counter drugs in the United States, or OTC drugs for short. These drugs are mostly used for self-diagnosis and treatment of common diseases such as colds, coughs, indigestion, headaches, and fever. In order to ensure people's health, China's over-the-counter drug list clearly stipulates the use time and treatment of the drug, and emphasizes that "if the symptoms do not alleviate or disappear, you should consult a doctor."
- At present, in countries that implement a classification management system for prescription and over-the-counter medicines, the vast majority of over-the-counter medicines on the market are transformed from the original prescription medicines. Strictly speaking, a drug is approved as an over-the-counter drug, but it has obtained the status of an over-the-counter drug, and is allowed to be sold and used more freely as permitted by regulations. The drug can be used freely under no circumstances without a physician's prescription. In fact, many drugs have both prescription and over-the-counter status. For example, hydrocortisone is used as an over-the-counter topical ointment for the treatment of skin allergies, but hydrocortisone preparations (such as tablets) for acute inflammation, rheumatic myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases such as bronchial asthma And injections) must be sold and used with a physician's prescription, and the process requires the supervision of a medical professional.
- Distinguish
- Brands, logos, labels, and words containing OTC (over-the-counter) guidance
- Internationally, over-the-counter medicines have their own unique symbols on brands and logos. For example, brands should try their best to unify, and at the same time attach importance to continuous innovation to improve their visibility in order to sell in chain stores, while also using brands as measures to protect their products. The label should clearly distinguish whether the drug is used as a prescription or over-the-counter drug. For example, prescription drugs in the United States must indicate "Federal Law Prohibits Dispensing Without Prescription." "Adequate Direction for use", the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and other countries also have similar words or logos. Examinations should be expressed in words that normal people can understand,
- There are even diagrams so that consumers can use OTC medicines correctly with their labels.
- The seven items proposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for over-the-counter drug labeling are:
- (1) Product name;
- (2) the name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor;
- (3) the contents of the package;
- (4) INN (International Generic Name of Generic Drug) names of all active ingredients;
- (5) the content of certain other components such as ethanol, alkaloids, etc .;
- (6) precautions and advisory content for consumer protection;
- (7) Appropriate medication instructions for safe and correct use of the drug.
- As a result, people can generally identify over-the-counter drugs from their brand, logo, label, and words containing OTC guidance.
Prescription Drug Management Measures
Prescription Drug Provisions
- Article 1 In order to ensure that people's medicines are safe, effective and convenient to use, in accordance with the "Central Communist Party Central Committee and State Council Decisions on Health Reform and Development", formulate classified and over-the-counter drug management methods.
- prescription
- Article 3 The State Drug Administration is responsible for the formulation of administrative measures for the classification of prescription and non-prescription drugs. Drug supervision and administration departments at all levels are responsible for the organization, implementation, and supervision of the classified management of prescription and non-prescription drugs within their jurisdictions.
- Article 4 The State Drug Administration is responsible for the selection, examination, approval, release and adjustment of the catalog of prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs.
- Article 5 Manufacturers of prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs must have a "drug manufacturing enterprise license", and their production varieties must obtain a drug approval batch number.
- Article 6 In addition to the non-prescription drug labels and instructions, the terms should be scientific and easy to understand, so that consumers can judge, choose and use them. The label and instructions for over-the-counter drugs must be approved by the State Drug Administration.
- Article 7 The packaging of over-the-counter medicines must be printed with the national over-the-counter proprietary mark designated by the state, and must meet quality requirements to facilitate storage, transportation, and use. Each sales basic unit package must be accompanied by a label and instructions.
- Article 8 According to the safety of medicines, over-the-counter medicines are divided into A and B categories. Wholesale companies dealing in prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines and retail companies operating over-the-counter medicines and over-the-counter drugs must have a "drug business license." Other commercial enterprises approved by the provincial drug regulatory department or its authorized drug regulatory department may retail Class B over-the-counter drugs.
- Article 9 A commercial enterprise that sells category B over-the-counter drugs must be equipped with full-time personnel who have a high school or higher education level, and after professional training, the provincial drug supervision and administration department or its authorized drug supervision and management department shall pass the examination and obtain the employment certificate.
- Article 10 Medical institutions may decide or recommend the use of over-the-counter medicines according to their medical needs.
- Article 11 Consumers have the right to purchase over-the-counter medicines on their own and must use them as indicated on the over-the-counter label and instructions.
- Article 12 Prescription drugs can only be advertised in professional medical newspapers and periodicals. Non-prescription drugs can be advertised in the mass media upon approval.
- Article 13 Specific methods for the approval, distribution, and advertising of classified management of prescription drugs and non-prescription drugs shall be formulated separately.
- Article 14 The interpretation of these measures is the responsibility of the State Drug Administration.
- Article 15 These Measures shall be implemented as of January 1, 2000.
- State Drug Administration
Prescription Drug Adverse Reactions
- China is gradually promoting the requirements for purchasing prescription drugs by prescription. Before this rule has been enforced, experts recommend that patients should consult a doctor in advance when purchasing prescription drugs in a pharmacy, or consult a drugstore pharmacist for medication advice. Avoid the scourge of unauthorized use.
- "Small illnesses go to pharmacies and serious illnesses go to hospitals". In daily life, many citizens follow this principle. I have a headache and a sore throat, so I don't bother to go to the hospital to line up to see a doctor. I like to go to the nearest pharmacy to buy medicines such as painkillers, erythromycin and cough syrup. But they may not have noticed that these drugs are all prescription drugs. If they are not taken without the advice of a doctor or pharmacist, it will easily cause harm to the liver and kidneys. According to statistics from the China Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center, the adverse reactions of prescription drugs are much higher than those of over-the-counter drugs. The medicine was bought for medical treatment, but be careful not to buy the danger back home.
High risk of prescription drugs
- China's Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center has counted 717 reports of adverse drug reactions in 26 hospitals. The results show that: anti-infectives (mainly antibiotics) have the highest proportion of adverse drug reactions, accounting for 41.28% of the total incidence; Of all 47 drugs, classified according to the published National Over-the-Counter Drug List, 42 are prescription drugs, accounting for 89.4%, 5 are over-the-counter drugs, accounting for 10.6%, and adverse reactions to prescription drugs are much higher than over-the-counter drugs. These statistical reports are adverse reactions found in hospital medications and are used under the guidance of medical professionals. It is conceivable that, without the supervision and guidance of medical professionals, the seriousness of the consequences of consumers using these drugs on their own.
Prescription drug advertising ban
- 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 an accreditation certificate before advertising. The US Food and Drug Administration allows prescription drugs to be advertised on television, but it must have the phrase "under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist."
- From December 1, 2005, all prescription drugs are no longer allowed to be advertised in the mass media, and can only be placed in professional medical media. It is reported that in order to regulate the release of drug advertisements and ensure the safety of people's use of drugs, the State Drug Administration has released classified drugs in two batches that ban advertisements on the mass media.
Prescription drugs
- For example, prescription drugs are: captopril, nifedipine, nimodipine
- Special drugs are also prescription drugs: all kinds of narcotic drugs, anti-cancer drugs and psychotropic drugs.
Prescription pharmacy
- Notice on the publication of the twenty-fourth batch of professional journals of medical pharmacy that are allowed to advertise prescription drugs
- State Food and Drug Administration [2011] No. 286
- Food and Drug Administrations (Drug Administrations) of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities:
- According to Article 60 of the Drug Administration Law of the People's Republic of China, after joint review by the Ministry of Health and the State Food and Drug Administration, it was determined that six medical and pharmaceutical professional publications, including the Chinese Cancer Journal, can publish advertisements for prescription drugs , Will be announced.
- Attachment: List of medical and pharmaceutical journals that are allowed to advertise prescription drugs
- State Food and Drug Administration
- July 7, 2011 [1]
- annex:
- List of medical and pharmaceutical journals that are allowed to advertise prescription drugs
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Social status of prescription drugs
- In September 2018, some netizens reported that some e-commerce platforms are still selling prescription drugs, and patients can still purchase prescription drugs without providing a prescription. [2]