Safety risks of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and their management

The vast majority of Hungarian patients have self-diagnosed and treated themselves with over the counter medications (OTC) without any medical supervision. Patients typically consider these medications safe and easily accessible without any major potential of adverse reactions. Although, pharmaceuticals must fulfil strict criteria to gain OTC status, they still carry potential risks and safety concerns, such as misuse, abuse or interaction with other drugs or food. In the course of proper handling of these safety concerns, the role of the pharmacist, and the establishment of an adequate informing and monitoring system must be emphasized. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview about the safety concerns related to OTC medicines, with regard to their management possibilities.