Patent medicine originally meant a drug of secret, patented composition. However, the drug labeling and reporting requirements
of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now prohibit the manufacture and sale of secret remedies in the United States, although drug manufacturers are permitted to patent and have exclusive rights to the drugs they develop. Patent medicine now generally refers to drugs sold "over the counter,"Ñthat is, without a physician's prescriptionÑeven though
prescription drugs are also patented. The term
proprietary drug includes all patented medicines, whether they are prescription drugs or not. To protect the consumer the Proprietary Association has made revisions in its Code of Advertising Practices. These include warnings to consumers to read and follow label directions and not to rely on medications as a simple solution to what may be a complex problem requiring the help of professionals.