Volume : 13, Issue : 07, July – 2026
Title:
SELF-MEDICATION AND OTC DRUG USE: GLOBAL REGULATION, CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Authors :
Shivam Sharma, Jyoti Pandit, Krati, Swati Pandey, Esha Vatsa*, Amandeep Singh
Abstract :
Over-the-Counter (OTC) drugs have become integral to modern healthcare, offering patients autonomy in managing minor conditions while reducing systemic costs. This paper provides a comprehensive review of OTC regulation, clinical risks, consumer behaviours, and emerging innovations. Comparative analysis highlights the United States’ dual-pathway system modernised under the CARES Act, the European Union’s harmonised directives, Japan’s tiered “switch OTC” model, and Latin America’s heterogeneous enforcement. India’s reliance on statutory exclusions and Ayurvedic/nutraceutical loopholes underscores the urgent need for a formal OTC category. Empirical survey data (N = 40) reveal paradoxical consumer behaviours: strong vigilance in checking expiry dates but frequent misuse of prescription-only drugs such as Diclofenac Sodium. The rise of digital health platforms and e-pharmacies further reshapes OTC access, offering convenience but raising risks of counterfeit products, reduced pharmacist interaction, and data privacy concerns. Pharmacists are emphasised as critical gatekeepers, while special populations—including children, the elderly and pregnant women—require targeted safeguards. In conclusion, OTC drugs represent both an opportunity and a challenge. Their safe integration demands coordinated strategies: formalising OTC regulation in India, strengthening pharmacist-led counselling, embedding pharmacovigilance systems, regulating digital health platforms, and harmonising global standards for herbal and nutraceutical formulations. These measures are essential to ensure that OTC drugs fulfil their promise of accessible, affordable, and safe healthcare worldwide.
Keywords: Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs, Self-Medication, Regulatory Frameworks, Pharmacovigilance, Digital Health & E-Pharmacy, Consumer Behaviour and Herbal and Nutraceutical Products
Cite This Article:
Please cite this article in press Esha Vatsa et al., Self-Medication And Otc Drug Use: Global Regulation, Consumer Behaviour, And Future Directions, Indo Am. J. P. Sci, 2026; 13(07).
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