[Melatonic]

Doesn't OTC specifically mean the ones that can't just be on the shelf ? Where you do not need a prescription but a pharmacist still has to be asked to hand it to you "over the counter" ?

[kelnos]

No, OTC means a drug available on the shelf, that people can buy without a prescription.

It's funny, I never thought about it, but you're right, it does sound backwards.

[kube-system]

In the US, OTC means the drugs available on the shelf.

The ones you have to ask a pharmacist for are “BTC”: behind the counter. e.g. pseudoephedrine.