Analysis of the Movement of Prescription Drugs to Over-the-Counter Status

Medical Expenditures and Earnings Losses Among US Adults With Arthritis in 2013

“…Although the new MEPS methodology provides more opportunity for recall of utilization (29), a comparison of MEPS and Medicare claims data demonstrated that MEPS respondents underreported medical events, especially office visits (30). Second, OTC drugs are not included in MEPS, but are used increasingly in lieu of prescribed medications (31). These out-of-pocket payments probably represent a small percentage of total arthritis-attributable expenditures.…”

Effects on the Cost and Utilization of Proton Pump Inhibitors From Adding Over-the Counter Omeprazole to Drug Benefit Coverage in a State Employee Health Plan

“…[1][2][3] Health plans have utilized 3-tier formularies, higher copayments, and now are considering coverage of over-the-counter (OTC) product equivalents, where available, to reduce costs. 4 Some payers are encouraging the use of OTC formulations in place of higher-cost prescription alternatives. In 2003, 32.1% of all health maintenance organizations covered at least 1 OTC drug.…”

Effectiveness of Homeopathic Medicine Associated with Allopathic Medicine in the Outpatient Management of Influenza-like Illnesses or Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders by Pharmacists

“…1,2 Antibiotics are widely misused in patients with colds and URTI, with more than one third (35.7%) of all patients with this diagnosis receiving an antibiotic prescription. 3 This high level of use of prescription drugs such as antibiotics leads to suboptimal care, unnecessarily high health care costs, 4,5 and increasing levels of antibiotic resistance. 3,6 As part of their training, pharmacists are taught how to identify illnesses for which they can advise patients and deliver medication directly, over-the-counter (OTC), without the need for a medical prescription.…”