OTC Drugs

Medicines that are sold directly to a customer without a prescription from the doctor or healthcare professionals are called as over-the-counter drugs i.e. OTC drugs. Prescription drugs are those medicines that are sold to the customers with a valid prescription from the health professionals. In some countries, establishments without a pharmacy, such as general stores, supermarkets, gas stations, etc sell OTC drugs to the consumers without prescription.

To get relief in aches, pains and itches certain OTC drugs are used.  Some OTC drugs also prevent or cure diseases such as tooth decay, athlete’s foot etc.

OTC drugs market research reports provides insights on common brands of the OTC drugs industry that can be used for various ailments and purpose, they are Benadryl, Sudafed, Actifed, Claritin, Chlora Trimaton and Nasalcrom used for allergy prevention and treatment, Ace Bandages, Band-Aids, Bandage Tape, Thermometers, Medical Gloves, Gauze, Neosporin, Rubbing Alcohol and Visine used for First aid supplies, BenGay, Tiger Balm and Flexall used for liniments, Advil Migraine Liqui-gels, Excedrin Migraine, and Motrin

Migraine Pain used for Migraine, Orajel is used for toothache and Teething Pain Relievers, Blood Pressure Monitor, Glucose Tester, HIV Test, Cholesterol Test, Diabetic Supplies, Crutches, Ovulation

Monitor and Pregnancy Testing Kits are some of the medical products and devices that are used, Bausch & Lomb, Renu, Aosept, Allergan, Boston and Opti-Free are used as contact lenses solutions, Robitussin, Vicks 44, and Chloraseptic are used as cough suppressants.

OTC Drugs Industry Current Trends

According to the global market OTC drugs industry market research and reports, over-the-counter i.e. OTC drugs are expected to go beyond $70 billion by 2015. According to Consumer Healthcare Products Association, they estimate the retail sale of OTC medicines in the US in 2010 was worth $17 billion and there might be an increase over more than $3 billion over a ten-year period.

Major OTC Drugs Industry Players

Some of the major OTC drugs industry players are Ajinomoto Co.Inc. in Japan, Allion Healthcare Inc, Metagenics Inc and Mead Johnson & Company LLC in US, Arkopharma SA in France, Jubilant Organosys Limited in India.