Value of OTC Medicines

IRI and the Consumer Health Products Association (CHPA) released a joint study, which quantifies the savings value over-the-counter (OTC) medicine and products afford the U.S. health care system and patients each year. The landmark study found that, on average, each dollar spent on OTC medicines saves the U.S. health care system approximately $7.20, totaling nearly $146 billion in annual savings. The estimated savings from unnecessary clinical visits is based on the study’s finding that nearly 90 percent of consumers who treat a condition with an OTC medicine would seek professional medical treatment if OTC options were not available.