Why Some Over-The-Counter Drugs Need Prescription Now?

Do you remember going to the drug store and asking for allergy and cold medicines like Advil Allergey, Sudafel Nasal Decongestant Tablets, Tylenol Flu NightTine Gelcaps? Once they were easily available over-the-counter? But after the Patriot of 2006, most of the drugs that were sold over-the-counter were now kept behind the counter. 

Wondering why? Because most of the drugs used to relieve nasal congestion contained pseudoephedrine. Yes it is the same ingredient that is used to make methamphetamine- a highly addictive stimulant. 

Confused as why was this Act brought into life? It was introduced to ensure that the methamphetamine was not produced in bulk and law enforcement became easier. The step was also taken as research shows that methamphetamine lead to serious side-effects like paranoia, violence, aggression, memory loss, brain damage and hallucinations. The Drug Enforcement Administration also reports that there is a direct relationship between increased number of child abuse and domestic violence cases with the use of methamphetamine.

 To tackle this situation some drug companies reformulated their products and eliminated pseudoephedrine whereas other companies replaced pseudoephedrine with phenylephrine to market the drug. 

So, next time when you need medicines to treat nasal congestion or sinus here are some tips on how to buy them:

    

1. You need prescription to buy these medicines.

2. You need to show your ID card like driver’s license and also sign a logbook. Drug stores must keep records about all the purchases made that include name of the drug, name of the buyer, address of the buyer and quantity purchased, date and time of sale of the drug. 

3. There is a limit to the quantity of buying this drug. One can only buy 3.6 grams per day and nine grams per month.

This information must have made you think that the government really cares for its citizens and concerned for their well-being. To provide better health care services many Government even offer healthcare apps where citizens can seek help from professionals and nutritionists if required.