Some medicines need a doctor’s prescription because they’re strong, can have serious side effects, or might be dangerous if taken the wrong way. These are called “prescription drugs.” Doctors check your health, decide if the medicine is really needed, and tell you the right dose.
If people could buy these medicines freely, they might:
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Take too much or too little (wrong dose).
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Use them for the wrong illness.
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Suffer harmful side effects or drug interactions.
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Develop resistance (like with antibiotics).
Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines are considered safer for general use, but prescription drugs need professional supervision to keep you safe and make sure they actually work for your problem.
In short: Prescription medicines aren’t “bad” — they’re just powerful and need to be used correctly under a doctor’s guidance.