Why can i buy bacitracin over-the-counter while other antibiotics have to be prescribed? i've been told by doctors that antibiotics need to be taken for the full time period that they are prescribed. why isn't bacitracin subject to the same rules since it

Good : Good question. The fda makes these rules. They felt that topical antibiotics like Bacitracin would be safe over the counter. Pills on the other hand were not judged to be safe and might be over used leading to resistance of the bacteria to the antibiotic. So those were factors the fda considered in restricting or allowing use of one versus the other. What the fda decides can change from year to year based upon those in charge. Science and politics and lobbying and public opinion all play roles in fda decisions.