To take Pakistani population into a brighter and healthier future every institution of Gandhara University has contributed in its own way. Gandhara College of Pharmacy has taken on the challenge of educating the society about the importance of strength and dose of a drug and the use of over the counter medicine. These concepts are taught to the students and they apply them in their practical life.

OVER THE COUNTER MEDICINE

Also called: Non-prescription drugs, OTC medicines Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are drugs that one can buy without a doctor consultation or sold directly to a consumer. Prescription drugs are medicines which may only be sold to consumers possessing a valid prescription. Some OTC medicines relieve aches, pains and itches. Some prevent or cure diseases, like tooth decay and athlete's foot. Others help manage recurring problems, like migraines.

In Pakistan, There is no regulatory authority which decides whether a medicine is safe enough to sell over-the-counter or not and if there is such authority, it is failing to do its job. Taking OTC medicines has risks. Some interact with other medicines, supplements, foods or drinks. Others cause problems for people with certain medical conditions. Many medication are prohibited in the first 3 months of pregnancy and many medicine through pregnancy. It is always wise to speak with a doctor before starting any medicine. Self medication can be harmful in long and short term.

Strength and dose of Drug

If the right dose is not taken for the correct length of time, the medicine may not be of any value to the patient. Some of the bacteria or viruses may survive, multiply, and cause the infection to recur. Inadequate treatment also may promote the development of resistance to the drug by the bacterium or virus. Then the antibiotic or antiviral drug may not work at all. Like antibiotics, other types of drugs also may be required at a specific dose and duration to achieve appropriate levels in the body to adequately combat the disease. With some medications this even may require weeks or months of treatment. Fighting against self prescription and advocating to the patient to use the correct dose for the right length of time for a certain disease is a war and failure to get a grip on such people put other healthy population at risk of different strain of disease untreatable by the conventional treatment.