OTC is the abbreviation of English over the counter drug name, which has always been used to refer to drugs that the public can choose from pharmacies. Because you can buy it from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription, it is also called over-the-counter medicine.

Five characteristics of OTC drugs:

OTC drugs are drugs that patients buy for their own use without a doctor's prescription, and must have the following five characteristics. First, the drug is effective and easy to be perceived by users; Second, the drug has mild effect, correct use method and few serious adverse reactions. Even after continuous application for several days, it is not easy to accumulate in human body and cause toxic reaction; Third, the diseases treated by drugs, that is, the indications of drugs are common ailments with obvious symptoms, and patients are easy to judge by themselves; Fourth, the drug is stable in nature, even if it is stored at room temperature for more than 2 years, it will not deteriorate and fail; Fifth, the drug instructions and drug packaging instructions are accurate, easy for patients to read and accept, and relatively cheap for individuals to buy. According to these characteristics, many countries list drugs for treating colds, antipyretic and analgesic drugs, antitussive and expectorant drugs, laxatives, antidiarrheal drugs, drugs for neutralizing gastric acid, drugs for treating intestinal parasites, and antiallergic and antifungal drugs for treating beriberi as OTC drugs. Some commonly used vitamins and trace elements drugs, nourishing nutrition products and reagents for self-diagnosis in vitro are also included in the scope of OTC drugs.