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Over-the-Counter relief
Growth of the consumer health spray product market reflects
trends in convenience and self care… Ava Caridad, Editorial Director
Over-the-counter (O-T-C) remedies are an accepted and often first-lineof
14 Spray February 2020
defense therapy for many of the most common conditions affecting
people. O-T-C—often referred to as Consumer Health Care or Self Care—is
relied on by U.S. and global consumers for the treatment and prevention
of many commonly occurring conditions including musculoskeletal pain,
headaches and migraines, the common cold, allergies, skin burns, infection and dermatitis.
Accessibility and convenience are important features of O-T-C treatments, fostering early
intervention to obtain optimal therapeutic results. O-T-C medicines—both topical and oral—
are available at a variety of close-to-home retail outlets including drug stores, grocery stores
and supermarkets, convenience stores, discount department stores and warehouse outlets, as
opposed to prescription remedies that require a visit to the doctor and pharmacy.
O-T-C remedies also provide the convenience of choice by offering consumers a wide variety
of treatment options; ultimately they have the final choice in which medication to use.