Some prescription drugs can now be sold over-the-counter with a digital safety check

US health regulators just created a new category for prescription drugs. These drugs can now be sold without a prescription if a company adds a digital safety check or other condition.

For decades, a drug was either prescription-only or available over-the-counter. This new category means drug companies can now sell drugs without a doctor's visit, as long as they build a system to ensure people use them safely. This could open up a lot of new products for direct consumer sales, especially for conditions that require some user education or screening.