Medical doctors should be very precise to give NSAIDs having effect on COX1 or non-selective COX inhibition.

i totally agree Urvesh, perhaps also education to population is also needed.

A patient prefer not to walk-down towards physician for simple fever and common cold. I believe the OTC concept has been emerged from this scenario. However, there are chances of drug misuse/abuse, which may lead even to fatal conditions. I have heard that in most of the western countries paracetamol in high dose is blamed for being a reason for suicidal attempts, as it is an OTC drug. Also I agree with the GI bleeding issues concern raised by Marcelo Ponte. I would like to conclude by saying that selling of OTC drugs is not a harm until their dispensing is monitored closely to ensure it happens in a limited quantity.

Thank you Rajesh. i totally agree

It is also important educational role of the pharmacist in a pharmacy

I think if those OTC drugs are dispensed by a pharmacist, that before selling the drug makes a questionnaire to the patient about some important points (eg previous history of ulcer, kidney or liver disease, allergies ...) and makes a correct advice to avoid possible interactions and minimize adverse effects, the sell of OTC drugs may be done without going to the doctor (except for patients with chronic diseases or multi pathologies).

The pharmacist has academic training in pharmacology and pharmacotherapy that allow him to do this safely counseling and dipensing of OTC drugs.

The good role for distribution OTC must be taken under controling an Apothecare or pharmacist.

if it is not ethical, there would be no OTC drug. sometimes patients do not have access to physicians but they could get primary requirements from pharmacies. If pharmacists give the OTC drugs after taking a complete history, OTC drugs are good!

OTC drugs fill in a void in developing countries where the patient may be unable to have access to a doctor.Going to a doctor for a headache or menstrual cramps may not be possible for patients at all hours. It goes without saying that the regulatory enforcement regarding the prescription only drugs should be very strict, though. As regards paracetamol, it is sold as an OTC drug in most countries. It has been found however, that it is one of the commonest causes of liver toxicity. Moreover, paracetamol overdose can be more dangerous in alcoholics. Limiting the pack size has been seen to reduce the incidence of overdose.

It is not ethical. Only physicians and pharmacist should administer or dispense drugs and others does not have a right to do this, because every drug has its complications and there is not a safe drug.