OTC

Also known as: Over-the-Counter

A drug sold without a prescription.

Definition

Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs are approved by the FDA OTC monograph system or via a Rx-to-OTC switch. They're sold without a prescription based on a determination that consumers can self-select and self-treat safely. Examples of switched drugs: omeprazole (Prilosec OTC, 2003), esomeprazole (Nexium 24HR, 2014), naproxen (Aleve, 1994).

See also

• Generic drug — A bioequivalent copy of a small-molecule drug after its patent and exclusivity expire.

Other commercial terms

• Biosimilar
• Generic drug
• QALY
• NICE TA
• ICER (cost)
• WAC