Over-The-Counter Drugs Make a Substantial Contribution to the Pharmaceutical Supply in Germany
Over-The-Counter Drugs Many individuals are turning toward over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a variety of different medical ailments. Over-the-counter drugs are medications sold without a need for a physician's prescription. These drugs are usually located on shelves in pharmacies, grocery stores, and even in gas stations. Examples of OTC medications include pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), cough suppressants such as dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and antihistamines like loratadine (Claritin 24H). Some of the most commonly marketed over-the-counter drugs in Germany include Acetaminophen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Voltaren Gel, and Dorithricin. The 7-day prevalence of having used at least one OTC drug was 40.2% in total and 33.2% and 47.2% for men and women in Germany, respectively, according to a 2018 study published in MDPI. Because the effectiveness of OTC cold medicine is often uncertain, some doctors may recommend over-the...