Society issues practice guidance on supply of OTC simvastatin
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has published practice guidance for pharmacists to coincide with the launch of the first over-the-counter simvastatin 10mg product (see p137, p143 and p145).
Simvastatin has been reclassified from prescription-only to pharmacy
medicine status for sale to individuals at moderate risk of coronary
heart disease. The practice guidance sets out the over-the-counter indications
for the medicine, as well as giving important points for pharmacists
to consider when supplying without a prescription.
The guidance also provides information on how simvastatin works, on how
it should be taken, on monitoring and record-keeping, on diagnostic tests,
on cautions, adverse effects and interactions, and on who should be referred
to a GP.
Sue Kilby, the Society’s head of practice, said: “Many people
do not realise that they are at risk of developing coronary heart disease
or how they may reduce that risk. Simvastatin is one option that is appropriate
for certain people to reduce their risk. It is, however, important to
also consider life style changes. Pharmacists are able to provide advice
on a wide range of interventions, including diet and exercise. They are
ideally placed to provide this advice and to assess an individual’s
coronary heart disease risk and refer to a GP if necessary.”
The guidance is published in this issue of The Journal (p169). It is
also available,
together with a more detailed version, from the practice
section of the
Society’s website or by contacting 020
7572 2409. |
The
Pharmaceutical Journal