OTC Healthcare
Over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceutical products have been available to consumers for many years for the treatment of common, self-diagnosable ailments. These ailments have traditionally included minor aches and pains, cold and allergy symptoms, gastrointestinal complaints, and infection prevention. More recently, however, nicotine replacement therapy, vaginal yeast infection treatments, hair growth products, and foot fungus treatments have been switched from ethical to OTC status. In general, pharmaceutical products are suitable for OTC status if they meet the following conditions:
- Condition can be adequately self-diagnosed
- Condition can be successfully self-managed
- Product is safe and effective for the consumer to use under conditions of actual use
Rx-to-OTC switch of actives is an area of keen interest to many clients. In addition to pharmaceutical products, OTC healthcare includes devices and home use diagnostics. TCI actively scouts technologies in the following areas:
- Upper respiratory – non drug devices and products for the treatment of allergy and cold symptoms; potential switch candidates; novel delivery formats for improved ease-of-use particularly for pediatric and geriatric populations
- Gastrointestinal – novel delivery systems that target the colon; alternative treatments for GI disorders
- Pain – non-analgesic treatment of muscular pain including devices/patches
- Diagnostics – improved home-based diagnostics for pregnancy, ovulation detection, and other female health issues
- Infection – improved treatment and delivery of actives for nail fungal infections; novel antimicrobial agents; combination products
