Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines play an important role in the daily lives of Americans. Each day, millions of consumers rely on them to help safely, effectively, and quickly treat a wide range of ailments such as cold and flu, headache, and upset stomach. With more than 100,000 OTC products widely available, Americans have numerous options for treating these conditions conveniently and affordably.
In recognition of the increasingly prominent role of OTCs, the Consumer Healthcare Products Association created a nonprofit educational foundation in 2004 to help consumers safely and effectively use these important medications. The foundation is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Americans through appropriate, safe, and effective over-the-counter medicine use.
CHPA's educational foundation is working with a number of organizations including professional societies, consumer health groups, government agencies, and industry associations. The foundation’s consumer education materials are developed with the guidance of these organizations to ensure the materials represent the latest medical and scientific thinking and research.
The foundation strives to ensure that consumers have the tools they need to take their OTC medicines safely and to the greatest benefit. The goal is that these efforts will result in improved public health over time and less illness related to OTC misuse. CHPA's educational foundation has developed a series of innovative, user-friendly education programs to help build a better understanding of responsible medicine use for different audiences. The foundation's programming helps women make informed decisions about OTC medicines to care for themselves and their families. Other programs help older adults manage their medications and provide important information on how to avoid possible drug interactions. All programs recognize the important role that healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists, play in helping consumers safely use OTCs.
Consumer information and materials are available at www.OTCsafety.org.
CHPA's educational foundation is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization.