Johnson and Johnson launch OTC education programme

Johnson & Johnson has announced the launch of a web-based education programme to inform consumers regarding the use of over-the-counter (OTC) pharmaceuticals.

The Answers in the Aisles – Increasing Understanding about OTC Medicines programme aims to counter concerns that have arisen in the media regarding the availability, effectiveness, safety and misuse of OTC drugs.

It has been launched by Johnson & Johnson company McNeil Consumer Healthcare, the makers of OTC drug Tylenol. The company states that dialogue with healthcare professionals and reading product labels are the best way to become informed about OTC medication, though offers this web tool as a source of additional information.

Janet P Engle, president of the American Pharmacists Association, said: “As pharmacists, we continue to serve as front-line, one-on-one resources to consumers with questions about over-the-counter medicines.”

She added that such medication can contain strong ingredients, requiring close attention to be paid to label instructions, but that OTC drugs are safe and effective for most patients when taken as directed.

Last year, Johnson and Johnson advised consumers to properly observe the expiry dates and storage instructions for their OTC medication, reporting that over half of those questioned had used out-of-date OTC drugs.