Question

The article states several motives behind the move to make more prescription drugs available over-the-counter. In a paragraph, explain the three main factors that motivate switching prescription drugs to over the counter drugs and explain how switching drugs affects the cost of medications.

Answer 1

Three main factors that motivates switching prescription drugs to over-the-counter drugs are: is it something people can easily die from, is it a powerful drug that could be used to get high or overdose, and is it safe for people to take. If people switch drugs to over-the-counter there is more of it and it isn't a rare thing to find. It makes the medication less expensive. 

Answer 2

The three main factors that motivate switching prescription drugs to over the counter drugs is first, the pharmaceutical firms' desire to extend the viability of brand names in the market, resulting to increase in product sale. Second, the healthcare funders try to contain the cost of prescription drugs and benefit from it by increasing the costs for most patients. Third factor is the self-care movement where drugs can be easily available especially to those uninsured patients.
Moreover, the switching of drugs will benefit all patients for they can self-diagnose and self-medicate, compared previously that they had to pay the full retail prescription price which is higher compare to over the counter drugs and the cost of physicians' visits.