title: RX-TO-OTC SWITCH AND DOUBLE REGISTRATION OCCURRENCE IN POLAND--AN ILLUMINATIVE CASE STUDY.
abstract: Rx-to-OTC switch is a global occurrence, which aims to promote patients' responsible self-treatment of minor ailments. Many countries could benefit from such self-treatment and reduce their rising health care costs by allowing citizens to avoid the need for a physician's consultations. What must be noted however, is that the inappropriate use of over-the-counter medicines can have also a darker side. Potential problems arising from OTC use might include: increased costs of treating complications resulting from not proper use or abuse, or possible interactions with the other medications, that patients take for chronic diseases. To maintain the desired level of patient safety, relieving one working group (the medical profession) from an existing obligation should be associated with the need for increased involvement and/or authorizations from other working groups. Professional pharmacists are already globally recognized as being trained in the field of health condition assessment. This paper presents an objective case study of current pharmaceutical law and thus, may serve as a starting point for an responsible discussion regarding the institution of a new class of drugs understood as pharmacist-only.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gruchała
authors.forename: Agnieszka
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kawczak
mesh_terms: D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D010595:Pharmacists; D011044:Poland; D024382:Professional Role; D012042:Registries
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs