Medicines Group based on Availability on Market

Based on its availability in market, medicines are classified into four groups. Each group has its own logo on the package, to make it easier for patients to identify.

What are the groups?

1. Over-the-counter medicines
Over-the-counter medicines are medicines that sold freely in the market and can be purchased without the need of medical prescription. The sign on medicine's package is a green circle with black border. Examples for this kind of medicine: paracetamol/acetaminophen. In Indonesian medicines formulary, this group is usually encoded as group B.
It is important to know that even over-the-counter medicine can cause toxicity or overdosage, so it is necessary to read instructions on its label before taking the medicine.


2. Limited OTC medicines
Limited OTC medicines (sometimes called as semi-OTC) are medicines that are originally classified as prescription medicines, but they can be purchased freely without medical prescription. The label is usually accompanied with warning sign. The sign on medicine's package is a blue circle with black border. Examples for this kind of medicine: common cold medicines. In Indonesian medicines formulary, this group is usually encoded as group G.


3. Prescription medicines and psychotropics
Prescription medicines are medicines that only can be purchased from drugstore with medical prescription. This kind of medicine cannot be purchased freely, sometimes due to its contraindications, adverse effects, warnings and precautions, or its maximum doses. Examples: antibiotics.
Psychotropics are either natural or artificial medicines besides narcotics, with psychoactivity and selectivity on central nervous system, against behaviour and mental status. Examples: diazepam, phenobarbital, or several benzodiazepines.
In Indonesian medicines formulary, this group is usually encoded as group W.

4. Narcotics
Narcotics derived either from plants or other sources, natural or artificial, which can affect a person's consciousness, pain, perception, and can cause a dependency. Examples: alprazolam, codein, morphin, pethidine.
In Indonesian medicines formulary, this group is usually encoded as group O.


Safe Medicine Usage

1. Watch the label or listed instructions before taking the medicine.
2. You have to notice how many times the medicines must be taken in a day.
3. Be careful when giving medicines to pregnant women, nursing mothers, or children. Watch out the warnings and precautions section in medicine's label if inserted. If it is not inserted, ask your physician first if you are not sure.
4. Especially for children: ask carefully about the amount of medicine should be given to a child. Learn how to administer medicine correctly (drops, syrups, etc).
5. Do not keep a medicine for too long time. Watch out when the medicine expires.


References:
Direktorat Bina Farmasi Komunitas dan Klinik. Pedoman Penggunaan Obat Bebas dan Bebas Terbatas. Departemen Kesehatan Republik Indonesia, 2006.

Links:

This article in Indonesian: http://learnpharmacia.blogspot.com/2011/10/pengelompokan-obat-menurut-ketersediaan.html