Via practica 4/2007

OVER THE COUNTER PRODUCTS (OTC) – HOW COULD BE ENSURED THE PATIENT´S COMPLIANCE – USING THE MEDICINAL PRODUCT

Over the counter (OTC) products are available for all patients and are one of the possibilities of selftreatment. It is necessary to recognize the difference between OTC products and supplementary food products. However, in both of the above mentioned cases the package leaflet (PIL) is one of the possible sources of information relating to medicinal products and the second source is the pharmacist, who gives instructions to patients. Not all of registered medicinal products can be OTC. The State institute for Drug Control (SUKL) is a making decision in terms of classification for the supply of a medicinal product for human use according to a number of criteria. Very important for successful therapy is the patient’s compliance in terms of posology and concomitant treatment. In case there are some problems connected to the usage of medicinal products, it is necessary to contact healthcare professionals, physicians or pharmacists. Readability and comprehensibility of PIL is one of the conditions for successful selfmedication with OTC products.

Keywords: OTC medicinal products, Package Leaflet (PIL), adverse drug reaction, patient´s compliance.