Dearborn Pharmacy Explains Why Some Medications Require Prescription
Have you ever wondered why some medications need prescriptions and others do not? The experts from Dearborn Pharmacy explains why. History In 1938, the US Congress passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, which established the drug regulatory system in the country. The Act's later amendments impose the rules on drugs that everyone has to follow today. A drug is any substance that is used to cure, diagnose, prevent, mitigate, or treat an illness or disease. Types of medications According to the Act, drugs are classified into two types: • non-prescription – also known as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. People can buy these from pharmacies or even a retail store without a doctor's prescription. Examples of these drugs are acetaminophen (Tylenol), antihistamines (Claritin 24H), and ibuprofen (Advil). All of these are available at local pharmacies like Dearborn Pharmacy. • prescription – also known as legend drugs, these may present health risks to patients. ...