over-the-counter drug

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over-the-counter drug (OTC drug) (oh-ver-thĕ-kownt-er) n. a drug that may be purchased directly from a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription. Current government policy is to extend the range of OTC drugs: a number have already been derestricted (e.g. ibuprofen, ranitidine) and this trend is expected to increase.