Pharmacist as a Prescriber for OTC Medication

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of the pharmacist’s role in safe and effective over-the-counter (OTC) medication use. It outlines structured patient assessment approaches—including the QuEST and SCHOLAR-MAC frameworks—used to determine self-care suitability. Key competencies such as clinical reasoning, differential diagnosis, counselling, and evidence-based OTC product selection are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on optimising symptom-specific treatment, preventing inappropriate self-medication, and enhancing patient education. The session also discusses how pharmacists can function as OTC prescribers within different therapeutic areas through systematic decision-making and follow-up.