What’s New in OTC and How to Help Patients Choose the Right Product

Pharmacy Times interviews Renee’ Acosta, RPh, MS, on the expanding scope of the over-the-counter (OTC) market and the growing role pharmacy technicians play in patient care. She explains that the OTC landscape is no longer limited to traditional medications or prescription-to-OTC switches but now includes a broader self-care ecosystem such as hearing aids, non-diagnostic glucose monitors, wearable devices, and other consumer health technologies. This shift requires pharmacy technicians to broaden how they assess patient behaviors, moving beyond simply asking what OTC products patients are using to understanding how they are engaging in overall health and wellness management.

Acosta emphasizes that when helping patients choose between multiple OTC options for conditions like cough, cold, allergy, and pain, technicians must focus on active ingredients rather than brand names or product packaging. Many OTC products contain the same or overlapping active ingredients, often just in different formulations such as dosage form, release type, or flavoring. This creates a significant risk of duplicate therapy, particularly when patients combine multi-symptom products with single-ingredient medications, potentially leading to overmedication.

A key concern highlighted is acetaminophen duplication, which frequently occurs when patients unintentionally combine products that each contain the ingredient. Acosta also notes that certain OTC products may be inappropriate for patients with underlying conditions such as hypertension, making it essential to evaluate safety in the context of the patient’s full medication profile and health status.

Pharmacy technicians, she explains, are in a critical frontline position to identify risks, clarify medication histories, and intervene when necessary. This includes asking follow-up questions, verifying exact product formulations, and escalating concerns to the pharmacist when product combinations may be unsafe. Overall, the interview underscores the importance of technician awareness in preventing therapeutic duplication and ensuring safe, informed OTC use in an increasingly complex self-care environment.