FDA to Hold Meeting on Behind the Counter Drugs on November 14
On October 4, the United States Food and Drug Administration announced that it will hold a meeting on November 14, 2007 at the National Transportation Safety Board Conference Center from 8:00 to 5:00 to review the creation of a new category of drugs--"behind the counter" drugs. Currently, drugs are divided into two classes, including over-the-counter drugs, or non-prescription drugs, and prescription drugs. Access to the drugs in this new class would be available without a prescription, but only after a pharmacist intervenes and offers approval. Supporters argue that the behind the counter classification will benefit patients without health insurance who otherwise would not have access to drugs they need.
