Rx-to-OTC switch movement.

Abstract

The medications that are being made available upon demand are not just those that &dquo;relieve symptoms of minor, self-limiting conditions.&dquo; They include medications of substantial importance that &dquo;prevent diseases&dquo; and &dquo;manage chronic conditions&dquo; (Young 1988, 6).5 Future switches are likely to continue in this direction. For example, Shering Plough Health Care will apply to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to sell oral contraceptives over the counter (Angier 1993). Neither are the financial dimensions of the Rx-to-OTC switch trivial. Switched