The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 273 No 7318 p407
25 September 2004

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Consultation on five more POM to P switches likely by the end of this year

Between now and the end of the year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is likely to start consulting on five new POM to P switches — where the licence for the medicine is changed from prescription-only category to a pharmacy medicine. This is the view of John Blenkinsopp, an independent consultant to the pharmaceutical industry on these switches.

Speaking at the autumn Numark conference held last weekend at Center Parcs at Longleat Forest, Dr Blenkinsopp said that he was currently advising the industry on the switch of 13 products. He was unable to confirm what the five products are, although chloramphenicol eye-drops would be a popular choice, if the delegates at the conference were able to choose.

Delegates also tended to suggest products suitable for acute conditions, although Dr Blenkinsopp thought that the Government would favour medicines used for the treatment of chronic conditions as the pace of switching doubled and the Government target of 10 switches per year was reached. “It will blow your socks off when it comes to switches for chronic conditions,” he proclaimed.