The Proprietary Association of Great Britain has launched an online database of over-the-counter medicines which provides advice on self-medication, as well as information on medicines people can buy without prescription.
The site (www.medicine-chest.co.uk) allows people to search a database of products for medicines which might be suitable to treat symptoms they are suffering. They can also use the website to contact the PAGB's consumer health information centre for more detailed advice on specific ailments and its health supplements information service for advice on health supplements.
The PAGB says that the site has also been designed for use by health professionals, such as pharmacists, general medical practitioners and practice nurses, so that they can help patients choose the right over-the-counter remedies to treat their symptoms.
In a statement on August 31, Mrs Sheila Kelly (executive director, PAGB) said: "This is the PAGB's most ambitious web project to date and should prove a useful asset for consumers to empower and encourage them to self-medicate effectively and safely."

The website allows people to search for items to treat a chosen set of symptoms