Restriction-free OTC medicines displease drug makers

The deregulation of 48 over-the-counter (OTC) drugs as “quasi-drugs,” is seen as a much needed move for the domestic industry, but not everyone is going to benefit from it.

With a wider sales platform, pharmaceutical companies, many of which saw their sales fall following a government crackdown on kickbacks given to doctors or pharmacies, expect a rebound, but only a few will gain an advanta...