Merck & Co.'s three lovastatin switch attempts showed "it would be essentially impossible to present what they needed just within the confines of those simple boxes,” says Pegasus Research CEO Clark Richardson. Two decades after DFL launched, FDA, labeling experts and other industry stakeholders recognize its limits and have more consumer comprehension study data to guide decisions on what to include as well how to format an OTC label.
The futility of using OTC Drug Facts labels for products indicated to treat conditions more complicated than a cold or heartburn, headaches or allergies was apparent less than 10 years after the format was launched.
That was when Merck & Co., Inc
“Merck made a valiant effort to innovate with labeling but were constrained by limitations of the DFL
AESGP, MedTech Europe and other associations representing medtech companies including manufacturers of self-care devices call for such products to be included in European Commission proposals for “zero-for-zero” trade in industrial goods between Europe and the US.
The US Food and Drug Administration has released a roadmap to adopt new approach methodologies in lieu of animal testing for monoclonal antibody therapies and other drugs, which may include OTC drugs though the proposal does not specifically include cosmetics.
An application for melatonin as an OTC medicine is on the agenda for the next German switch committee meeting, despite the hormone being widely available in food supplements. Acyclovir as a buccal tablet and second-generation antihistamine rupatadine are also up for discussion.
