FDA Plans to Facilitate Counter Selling of Certain Remedies

The drug regulatory agency in the United States wants some folk remedies to be easier to sell without a prescription.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday proposed new guidelines for manufacturers who want their common medications to be sold over the counter.

In a statement, FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb stated that he was evaluating ways to ensure that patients do not take inappropriate substances. This could include adding information about the box's etiquette and the offer of mobile apps to help people decide if a cure is the most appropriate for them.

Pharmaceutical companies should conduct studies showing that these strategies allow consumers to choose a cure and use it without medical supervision in a safe manner.

Many popular over-the-counter medications have already been compared only on prescription, such as Claritin and Prilosec allergy treatment for heartburn.