Why do you think so many former script drugs have suddenly gone OTC at the lowest dose. People who cannot afford a doctor or O’care with self medicate. We have been doing it for centuries.
Problem is if there is a underlying health issue. Or people not KNOWING the side effects of the OTC drugs they take. To much Advil or Aleve will lead to GERD. Then you will need Nexium or other GERD meds, which leads to Bone Density issues called Osteoporosis. And every one of the OP drugs have a high FDA warning on them. Reclast and Boniva are the worst, with Foreto being Black Box labelled.
WARNINGS OP DRUGS Kidney failure deaths, A Fib, Jaw Degeneration and A Typical Femur Fractures
Reclast has the highest warning.
Reclast UPS kidney failure, A FIB risk. Not to be given to Asthma patients.
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/news/20110901/fda-osteoporsis-drug_ups-kidney-failure-risk
Safety update for osteoporosis drugs, bisphosphonates, and atypical femur fractures, A FIB, Jaw Degeneration, Kidney failure deaths.
http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/drugsafetypodcasts/ucm229800.htm
Black box warning Foreto
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=21853
Like most useful medications, Forteo may have its possible downside. In animals, it promotes the development of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. In humans, osteosarcoma has not been reported but it remains a concern with Forteo. (The daily injections are also a downside.)
Vicious circle.
And this just using one drug. Most use multiple of combination of drugs and warning labels do not apply to combos. Pharmacists greatest service is catching contra-indications of drugs before a customer is killed.