Some years ago they approved the use of Tagamet (cimitedine) for over the counter use. This drug is particularly hated by we pharmacists. This drug has multiple drug interactions that can be serious to fatal. I personally would like to see this drug banned. Their are other drugs that do not have these interactions that are as effective or even more effective and also are over the counter. Click on the below link to look at the interactions. It is ugly!
Either the FDA is totally incompetent (which is a possibility) or it is corrupt and money changed hands to get this approved. If you ask any pharmacist they will tell you this should never be over the counter.
Both incompetence (at best, willful negligence more probably), and corruption rampant for people in charge of the F.D.A.
And we are only talking about one drug. What else is there that the public don't know?