Over-the-Counter Medicines: A Narrative Review in the Global and Sri Lankan Context

Over-the-counter (OTC) Medicines are drugs purchased from community pharmacies or groceries without a prescription. They are mainly utilised for minor elements of diseases. The types of medications authorised under the OTC category differ among countries, and their utilisation is globally increasing. This short review aims to identify the global and Sri Lankan context of OTC Medicines, specifically for the allopathic medicines. The literature search was done through Clinical Key, PubMed, Google Scholar and Hinari using MeSH terms like OTC Medicines, Over the Counter Medicines in Sri Lanka, Self-Medication Practices, and Regulation of Over the Counter Medicines in Sri Lanka between the periods of 1975 to 2024, published in English or translated to English. The articles were selected by screening through the titles, abstracts and full-text. The relevant data were extracted from the selected articles and summarised using the narrative synthesis under subtopics. In the global context, the consumption of OTC medicines has become convenient, reduced healthcare expenditure for the public, and saved time from seeking healthcare advice or services. The number of medicines switched to OTC medicines has increased globally. The Sri Lankan healthcare system includes a list of OTC medicines which hasn’t been revised for a long time, in contrast to other parts of the world. However, many Sri Lankans consume OTC medicines and Prescription Only Medicines (POM) under self-medication practice, many of which have been authorised as OTC medicines in other countries. The regulation of OTC medications has to be redefined, based on diseases or symptoms identified by the consumers and the safety profile of the drugs. Implementing proper monitoring and regulation of OTC medicines with timely revisions would benefit primary healthcare by saving health expenditure and preventing health wastage.