DRUGS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION




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The non-prescription drugs can be divided two categories:
  • drugs on the advice
  • OTC drugs


COUNCIL ON DRUGS:

The drugs on board are all those medicinal products which, although not subject to a specific doctor's prescription, are not accessible without supervision by your doctor or pharmacist.

These drugs are not reimbursed by the National Health Service and may not be advertised. The instructions on how to use, doses and duration of therapy are given by your doctor or pharmacist.
Fall into the category of drugs on board:

  • compounds to be used in an emergency, such as serum antivipera;

  • all homeopathic medicinal products, ie drugs which, although not considered as such by traditional medicine, however, are used by complementary medicine. These are compounds that can not be sold outside of the pharmacy, but which do not require recipe.


COUNTER MEDICATIONS:

The OTC drugs are commonly called OTC, Over The Counter English, or "over the counter (the pharmacist)".

These drugs are those which by their nature and purpose are designed and intended for use therapeutic autonomous part of the city, without the need for medical attention for diagnosis, prescription or monitoring during treatment.

May be used by the patient for self-medication, ie for the treatment of minor ailments that he is able to recognize on the basis of his experience.

The counter medicines are not reimbursed by the National Health Service and may be advertised only with the approval of the Ministry of Health.
To fall into the category of OTC drugs, a drug must have certain characteristics:
  • must be intended, as has been said, to the treatment of mild and transient disorders and their symptoms (cold, cough, upset stomach, constipation, headache);
  • must have been on the market, subject to medical prescription for at least five years in a country of the European Union, to ensure their proven efficacy and safety of use;
  • should not cause problems of abuse and toxicity;
  • must be used in full autonomy, and should not expect the intervention of medical personnel (it follows that no OTC drug injection). 


The use

In Italy the concept of self-medication was introduced fairly recently and is imposed only with the health policies of the nineties, to curb public spending in this area. Thus, unlike other European countries, the prevalence of treatment with OTC products is still limited, although tending to grow.

The OTC medicines sold in Italy are certainly those that relate to the common cold, such as cough, runny nose, sore throat (30%). Even products for gastrointestinal disorders and painkillers are purchased quite frequently, even if to a lesser extent (17% and 12%).



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