Analysis of over-the-counter medicines’ information and strategies oriented to the community for improving its access and quality.

IntroductionThe Disposición ANMAT 753/2012 states definitions and guidelines about the information that inserts and labels must include in nonprescription drugs (also known as over-the-counter or OTC drugs).Aims: to analyze the adequacy to the norm in a sample of OTC drugs; promote and disseminate strategic viable actions for being developed by pharmacists to improve the patient’s information.MethodsDuring a course destined to community pharmacists, a practical activity and an on-line forum about the adequacy to the Disposición ANMAT 753/2012 were developed. The compliance of 17 requirements of the norm, in a sample of 66 OTC drugs, was registered. Forum duration: 2 weeks. A content analysis related to the strategies proposed by the participants was conducted.ResultsFrom the sample, 87.9% of the medicines do not accomplish to at least 1 of the requirements. The major noncompliances were: inappropriately described composition, lack of telephone number for consultations, uncomprehensible therapeutic action, and package requirements. Strategies to develop by pharmacies individually, grouped, or through professional associations were formulated.ConclusionA high level of noncompliance in the analyzed aspects of the norm was observed. The strategies proposed are oriented to patient empowerment by health education about OTC drugs and access to reliable information resources, comprehensible for consumers. It is necessary to reinforce the control procedures for the information the OTC drugs must include, and to encourage both the participation and commitment of the pharmacist.