Names of prescription drugs moving to OTC to be submitted to govt

The list of drugs that will switch from being prescription only to over-the-counter (OTC) is likely to be made public soon with the sub-committee tasked with drafting guidelines for sale of drugs over-the-counter in the country set to submit its recommendations soon.

- Rhythma Kaul

NEW DELHI:

According to people familiar with the matter, the list includes certain antipyretics (fever drugs), analgesics (painkillers), antiallergic, antacids, nasal sprays, cough syrups, lactulose solution, and antiseptics.

"The earlier draft had some 16 categories of such drugs and from what we hear most of them have been retained in the final list. Final touches to the report are still being given and it should be submitted soon," said a senior official familiar with the matter.