I suggested making it OTC without a prescription largely due to a couple of practical reasons - many users of illicit drugs who are not "street junkies" want to keep the whole thing hidden for various reasons (social stigma, worries about health insurances, medical discrimination), etc.

Not sure about where you are, but in the countries in EU/UK I've lived, OTC can mean either "behind the counter" (where you must speak with the pharmacist), or "in front of the counter" (you just pick it up and buy it).

Depending on country, different drugs are sold differently.

In Germany and Ireland, to buy normal antihistamines or pretty much any good OTC painkiller, I have to request it and usually get asked some questions, depending on the drug, whereas in the UK I can buy the same medications in Tesco.

I'm also of the view that a lot more drugs should simply be available via the model of informed consent or just "available by asking for them".

Waiting weeks and paying 60 euros for a GP to toss a coin on if they are going to agree with you about a medicine is a nightmare.

Though that may be due to the broken health system here making me wait 4 weeks for a GP appointment so I could get a fucking salbutamol inhaler after my asthma came back, among other things.

Interesting aside, the "mental" addiction can be harder to kick than the physical. Some former opiate and gabapentin users I know have mentioned this - psychological cravings for even years after stopping. Anyone who has ever tried quit nicotine will also know this.