OTC products
Over-the-counter (OTC) products refer to medications, treatments, and health-related products that can be purchased without a prescription from a healthcare professional. These products are typically available in pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores, and online retailers.
OTC (over-the-counter) products are medications or products that can be purchased directly from a store without requiring a prescription from a healthcare professional. Common examples include pain relievers, cough and cold medicines, topical creams for minor skin conditions, antacids and oral care products.
The regulatory position in India is less settled than the category's everyday familiarity suggests. Drugs that are not included in prescription-only medications are regarded as OTC in India because they do not have legal recognition, and India does not have a well-documented process or a specific regulation on switching Rx to OTC products. The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC) is a statutory advisory body established by the Central Government under Section 7 of the D&C Act to provide advice on any issue aiming to ensure consistency in the D&C Act's administration across India.
One consequence matters directly to anyone planning distribution or trade activity: under the rules and regulations, OTC products cannot be sampled to consumers directly. They must go through the level of a pharma shop. And while OTC products are easily accessible and generally safe, it remains advisable for consumers to consult a healthcare professional.