Health security

Half of over-the-counter medications are ‘useless’

A leading French pharmaceuticals expert has claimed that up to 50% of over-the-counter medicines have never shown any scientific effectiveness.

Jean-Paul Giroud, Professor of Clinical Pharmacology and a member of the Academy of Medicine, is the author of “Self-medication, the expert guide,” in which he assesses 4,000 medications.

"Not only are we being sold hot air, but what is more serious is that, unfortunately, all drugs, even ineffective ones, are likely to cause some side effects,” he told France 2.

Referring specifically to sore throat medicines, he said: “There are no effective sore throat medications for the simple reason that they contain antiseptic, and a sore throat is an irritation and not linked to either a virus or bacteria. Yet they can cause digestive problems and allergic reactions.”

Professor Giroud, who has worked in medicine for 40 years, said: “Throughout my career I have tried to inform my medical students, as well as pharmacists, that for certain medicines there is no objective information available.”