Can An OTC Product Be Dispensed As A Prescription?

Answer

What a great question! That's for reaching out to us. I'm happy to answer it.

Why Would A Precsriber Write An OTC Product As A Prescription?

There are a number of reasons why a prescriber may write a prescription for an over-the-counter product, which, by law, don't require one to be written. These reasons include:

• Insurance/HSA Coverage: Some health insurance plans cover certain OTC medications only if they are prescribed by a doctor (or other prescribers). Similarly, some HSA (health savings accounts) cards only will work for prescription items.
• Dosage: Prescribers may choose to prescribe an over-the-counter (OTC) medication to their patients in order to provide specific dosage instructions. This ensures that patients take the medication in the appropriate way as recommended by the prescriber, which may differ from the general product directions.
• Record-Keeping: In some cases, prescribers may prescribe OTC medications to keep a record of the patient's medication use. This can help prevent medication interactions and ensure that the patient is taking the appropriate medications for their condition.

Overall, it is not uncommon for prescribers to write a prescription for an OTC product, and the reasons I gave above are the most common.

If A Prescriber Prescribes An OTC Product, Is It Now A Prescription?

If a pharmacy dispenses an OTC product as a prescription, it must follow all of the application state and federal rules and regulations required for a prescription.

This includes having a prescription label affixed to the product, which should include the prescription directions, quantity, refill information, and the name of the doctor who prescribed the medication (among other things). The federal requirements for prescription labeling can be found on the FDA website. Individual states may have additional requirements.

These rules and regulations are in place to ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors.

You asked whether a pharmacy putting a prescription label on an OTC product makes it a prescription.

If I understand your question correctly, the answer is yes, if an OTC product is dispensed as a prescription, it must follow prescription regulations.

For example, if your doctor writes you a prescription for 'Benadryl 25mg', an OTC product, and your pharmacy fills it as a prescription, it is considered a prescription.

However, nothing is stopping you from just buying the product over the counter without involving the pharmacy, and of course, the product is still an 'OTC' drug. Nothing has changed about its regulatory status.

Again, there are a number of reasons why your doctor may have written you a prescription for something that can be purchased over the counter. When I worked in a retail pharmacy, the most common reason was for that particular product to be covered by insurance or HSA cards.

In such cases, the OTC product is still an OTC product but must be dispensed as a prescription for coverage.

As a final note here, I want to mention that the price of an OTC product can vary depending on whether you purchase it as a prescription or not.

If your pharmacy fills an OTC as a prescription, it generally will be more expensive, as other things have been factored into the price, like a 'dispensing fee'. It's just something to keep in mind.

Final Words

I hope this answered your question!

Feel free to reach back out anytime if anything else comes up for you.