Final answer:
About 35 percent of all medications used in the United States are OTC, or over-the-counter, medications. These drugs are part of essential healthcare, and some were once prescription-only but are deemed safe for use without a doctor's oversight.
Step-by-step explanation:
OTC medications, or over-the-counter drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, now account for about 35 percent of all medications used in the United States. These medications are available without a prescription and have a significant role in healthcare due to their accessibility and convenience for treating common ailments. Many OTC drug ingredients were once available only by prescription but are now considered safe for use without a healthcare provider's supervision. The use of prescription and OTC medications impacts several facets of public health. For example, the increase in prescription medication use among senior citizens and the dramatic increase in the medical use of prescription painkillers have both contributed to broader public health concerns like the opioid epidemic. Efforts in pharmaceutical research and development, with about 35 percent of new drugs derived from natural compounds, also illustrate the continued importance of medication in improving health outcomes and managing diseases.