According to the incomplete statistics of the People's Daily health client reporter, as of now, the State Food and Drug Administration has released information on the conversion of 25 drugs from prescription drugs to over-the-counter drugs (OTC) in 2021.
According to Article 2 of the Measures for the Classification and Administration of Prescription Drugs and Over-the-Counter Drugs (Trial Implementation) (former Order No. 10 of the State Drug Administration), drugs are managed according to different drug varieties, specifications, indications, dosages and routes of administration. Prescription drugs must be prescribed, purchased, and used on the prescription of a licensed physician or practicing physician assistant; over-the-counter drugs can be used at the sole discretion of a licensed physician or practicing physician assistant. After the drug changed from prescription drugs to OTC, patients can buy drugs offline pharmacies and online e-commerce without a doctor's prescription, and it is more convenient for some patients who need to buy drugs for a long time than before.
The reporter inquired about the relevant pharmaceutical e-commerce platform and found that among the above 25 drugs, some of the drug introductions have been adjusted in accordance with the regulations, and some are still sold according to prescription drugs, and consumers need to buy with the prescription issued by the doctor.
China's current "Drug Administration Law" for drugs in accordance with prescription drugs, OTC (non-prescription drugs) Class A, B classification management, prescription drugs into non-prescription drugs to meet the following basic requirements: Class A non-prescription drugs can only have the "Drug Business License" equipped with licensed pharmacists or pharmacists and medical institutions pharmacy retail, under the guidance of practicing pharmacists or pharmacists to buy and use; Class B non-prescription drugs are drugs that can be purchased and used without the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist. The change from prescription drugs to over-the-counter drugs means that the channels of these drugs to the hands of patients are increased, and they are more easily purchased by patients. However, for drug takers, there is no professional doctor's guidance, and only the instructions can be relied on when taking drugs, so they should be used very strictly in accordance with the reference instructions to avoid adverse drug reactions.
