Over-the-Counter Drugs

Health care products

HCP
Steve Debenport

Americans routinely use over-the-counter (OTC) products—from cough and cold medicines to sunscreens—to protect their health and treat illnesses. These medications carry risks, and when new or previously unknown safety issues emerge, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must be able to respond quickly. That’s often challenging under the agency’s current OTC oversight system, which regulates more than 300,000 products.

Pew worked to strengthen and streamline FDA’s oversight of OTC drugs so that the agency could swiftly address safety risks and protect consumers’ health.

 

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Congress Passes Legislation to Reform Over-the-Counter Drug Regulation

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Congress Passes Legislation to Reform Over-the-Counter Drug Regulation

Congress gave final approval March 27 to long-needed legislation that will improve the safety of over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

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