Over the Counter Drugs and Natural Health Products

Question 1

Over the Counter Drugs

Answer 1

Non prescription drugs

16% of all drug expenditures in Canada

Question 2

Criteria for OTC Status

Answer 2

Indication for use

• diagnose condiiton
• monior effectiveness

Safety profile

• favourable adverse event profile
• limited drug-interaction
• low potential for misuse

Practicality for OTC

• easy to use
• easy to monitor

Question 3

Use of OTC

Answer 3

Can delay effective treatment for chronic disease
May relieve symptoms but not cause
Advantage of OTCs - convenient, effective without MD appointment, often MD recommended

Question 4

Natural Health Products

Answer 4

NHP Regulations

• All products require natural product number
• Proof of efficacy or safety required
• Standards for quality control
• May claim effect no promise for cure
• Labeling must meet specific requirement

Question 5

Compendium of Monographs

Answer 5

Classifies NHP according to level of risk
Higher risk - amino acids/fatty acids
Low risk - homeopathic medicines

Question 6

Conditions treated by natural health and herbal products

Answer 6

Anxiety
Colds
Cough	
Headache
Insomnia
Ulcers
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Arthritis
Constipation
Fever
Infection
Stress
Weakness

Question 7

Commonly used herbal products

Answer 7

Cranberry - renal excretion
Ginger root - interference with cardiac, anti-diabetic, anticoagulant drugs
Grapefruit - CCB, statins
St. Johns Wort - serotonin reuptake inhibitors