title: Switching drugs from prescription-only to over-the-counter availability: economic benefits in the United Kingdom.
abstract: Recent years have seen suggestions that legislation restricting certain drugs to prescription-only availability should be relaxed. This paper estimates the economic benefits of such changes, with specific reference to two drugs recently switched in the United Kingdom: Ioperamide and 1% topical hydrocortisone. The findings suggest that making these products available from the pharmacy without a prescription has resulted in substantial benefits by reducing costs to consumers and saving general practitioners' time. In view of these benefits, the disadvantages of such changes should be evaluated.
authors: University of Aberdeen, Scotland.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ryan
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Yule
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000600:supply & distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000191:economics*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D008139:Loperamide / Q000600:supply & distribution; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000191:economics; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D008139:Loperamide; D006854:Hydrocortisone