Benefits and risks of over-the-counter medicines

Over-the-counter (OTC) or nonprescription medicines are pharmaceutical products that consumers can purchase in pharmacies, supermarkets, retail shops as well as online without a prescription.

OTC medicines are deemed safe and effective treatments as categorised by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya. The board’s mission is to protect and promote the health of the public by regulating the profession of pharmacy and ensuring access to quality, safe, efficacious and affordable medical products and health technologies. These medicines treat common, self-treatable health conditions and symptoms such as the common cold, minor pain and aches, allergies, stomach upsets such as heartburn, and other conditions that impact large segments of the population.

In Kenya, a household health expenditure and utilisation survey conducted in 2014 found that about 23 per cent of all outpatient visits were to a pharmacy or clinic with a pharmacy. The survey noted that patients often visit a retail pharmacy for self-medication before seeking care at a hospital.

OTC medicines provide easier access to treatment options for common conditions, offering not only convenience, but also timely treatment and relief for sudden symptoms or minor ailments. OTC medicines are a critical component in advancing consumer health because they allow people to treat or manage many health conditions conveniently and successfully. OTC medicines save health systems valuable resources and can save consumers time and money. While OTC medicines are an important part of the care continuum, a healthcare professional’s advice should always be sought for serious conditions, or when common ailments persist.

OTC medicines have played a significant role in access to safe and effective treatments. Many people who do not have access to health services and rely heavily on self-care and self-medication, OTC medications provide valuable resources to address health conditions. OTC medicine has its benefits and considerable risks. Patient safety in OTC medication is critical. OTC can interact with other medicines, supplements, foods, or drinks making them less effective or may cause adverse reactions. Some medicines are not right for people with certain medical conditions. For example, people with high blood pressure should not take certain decongestants. Avoiding some over-the-counter pain medicines is better if you have ailments related to stomach, kidney, liver or heart problems. Certain medications can cause allergic reactions in some patients.

Many medicines are not safe during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you must discuss your plans to take any medication with your healthcare professional. When administering medication to children, take extra precautions. Always check that you are giving an appropriate dose to your child. If you are administering liquid medicine to your child, you should not use a spoon intended for food preparation in the kitchen. Instead, you should make use of a measuring spoon that is labelled or a dosing cup.

While the safety profile of OTC medicines is generally reassuring, these medicines are not harmless. The abuse of OTC medicines — using them for nonclinical purposes — can lead to severe complications, including addiction and even death. Additionally, misuse of OTC medicines, which occurs when these medicines are used for medical purposes with honest intentions but inappropriately, can lead to adverse clinical outcomes.

Dr Ambale is a consultant pharmacist, Pharmacoepidemiology and Pharmacovigilance