Over-the-Counter Drug의 줄임말로,
처방전 없이 구매 가능한 일반 의약품 또는 비처방 의약품을 뜻합니다.
미국에서는 자외선차단제, 발한억제제(데오드란트), 비듬샴푸, 여드름제품, 피부보호제품 등이 OTC Drug으로 분류되며, 현재 약 800 개의 활성 성분을 포함하는 10만여 개의 OTC
Drug이 시판되고 있습니다.
일종의 "Recipe Book"으로, FDA에 의해 '일반적으로 안전하다고 인정된 (Generally Recognized as Safe, GRAS)' 조건을 충족하는 성분, 용량, 용법, 경고 사항 등이 나열되어 있습니다.
미국에 의약품을 시판하기 위해서는 두 가지 방식 중 하나를 선택해야 합니다.
| New Drug Application | OTC Monograph |
|---|---|
| Product specific (including formulation and labeling) |
Therapeutic category-specific regulations (product can contain permissible active ingredients in a monograph compliant formulation) |
| Certain subsequent labeling and formulation changes require prior approval through supplemental application | Changes do not require approval when in compliance with monograph |
| Confidentiality during the approval process | Public process for monograph changes |
| Safety and effectiveness testing required for each individual product | Safety and effectiveness testing of each individual product not required if compliant with monograph |
| Application submitted for premarket approval | No FDA product-specific premarket application or preapproval |
| Application fees (i.e., user fees) | No user fees |
| Adverse event and other reporting requirements | Limited reporting requirements (serious adverse events only) |
| Comply with good manufacturing practices | Comply with good manufacturing practices |
| A period of market exclusivity (if certain conditions are met) |
No market exclusivity |