Medicinal drugs are grouped into 2 major categories: Prescription Drugs and Non-Prescription (aka OTC) Drugs. See the table below for a comparison of them.
Prescription (Rx) Medicines
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines
Require a written order from a physician.
Do NOT require a written physician's order.
Only for use by the person whose NAME is on the label.
Can be used by anyone who matches the CRITERIA listed on the label.
Have greater potency than OTC drugs.
Have lesser potency than Rx drugs.
Can ONLY be purchased at pharmacies.
Can be purchased at pharmacies and other stores.
Pharmacist-Only Medicines:
A relatively small group of medicines that can be purchased from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription. While they fall into the category of OTC medicines, they are not available for self-selection from the pharmacy shelves, and the sale must be made by a pharmacist.
When selling these medicines, pharmacists must fulfil some special requirements designed to make sure you are properly informed about the safe and correct use of your medicine.
