Biomaterial Database

Over-the-counter sales of drugs in Sweden 1976-1983. 1987

A Wessling

Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge University Hospital, Sweden.

The over-the-counter (OTC) sales of drugs were estimated by subtraction of sales on prescription and to hospitals from total drug sales in Sweden during the period 1976-1983. Increased sales of antitussives and decreased sales of expectorants characterized cough remedies. Making topical nasal decongestants available as OTC drugs immediately resulted in a large and increasing volume of OTC sales. Among analgesics, sales of acetaminophen and acetylsalisylic acid + caffeine combinations increased, while those of other groups decreased. Drugs for disorders of the alimentary tract were second to analgesics in the numbers of packs sold; amongst them antacids and laxatives dominated. Laxative sales decreased due to decreased sales of stimulant preparations. Vitamin C and multivitamin preparations dominated OTC vitamin sales. The sales of topical corticosteroids, only available as OTC drugs during the last quarter of 1983, were substantial. The OTC drug sales statistics reflect patterns of self-medication and may be used to monitor this important part of health care.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D004366	Nonprescription Drugs	Medicines that can be sold legally without a DRUG PRESCRIPTION.	Drugs, Non-Prescription,Non-Prescription Drug,Nonprescription Drug,OTC Drug,OTC Drugs,Over-the-Counter Drug,Over-the-Counter Drugs,Patent Medicine,Patent Medicines,Drugs, Nonprescription,Medicines, Patent,Non-Prescription Drugs,Drug, Non-Prescription,Drug, Nonprescription,Drug, OTC,Drug, Over-the-Counter,Drugs, Non Prescription,Drugs, OTC,Drugs, Over-the-Counter,Medicine, Patent,Non Prescription Drug,Non Prescription Drugs,Over the Counter Drug,Over the Counter Drugs
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012651	Self Medication	The self administration of medication not prescribed by a physician or in a manner not directed by a physician.	Medication, Self,Medications, Self,Self Medications
D013223	Statistics as Topic	Works about the science and art of collecting, summarizing, and analyzing data that are subject to random variation.	Area Analysis,Estimation Technics,Estimation Techniques,Indirect Estimation Technics,Indirect Estimation Techniques,Multiple Classification Analysis,Service Statistics,Statistical Study,Statistics, Service,Tables and Charts as Topic,Analyses, Area,Analyses, Multiple Classification,Area Analyses,Classification Analyses, Multiple,Classification Analysis, Multiple,Estimation Technic, Indirect,Estimation Technics, Indirect,Estimation Technique,Estimation Technique, Indirect,Estimation Techniques, Indirect,Indirect Estimation Technic,Indirect Estimation Technique,Multiple Classification Analyses,Statistical Studies,Studies, Statistical,Study, Statistical,Technic, Indirect Estimation,Technics, Estimation,Technics, Indirect Estimation,Technique, Estimation,Technique, Indirect Estimation,Techniques, Estimation,Techniques, Indirect Estimation
D013548	Sweden	Country in northern Europe, bordering the Baltic Sea, between Finland and Norway. The capital is Stockholm.