Chlamydia treatment could soon be available OTC
Azithromycin would be supplied after consultation with a pharmacist |
People with asymptomatic chlamydia infection could soon buy treatment for the condition over the counter at community pharmacies. The Medicines
and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is consulting
on a request from Actavis to reclassify azithromycin 500mg tablets (Clamelle) from
a prescription-only medicine to a pharmacy medicine.
Azithromycin would be supplied according to a protocol after consultation
with a pharmacist. Although licensed as a single 1g dose for individuals
aged 16 years and over, the target group for this medicine would be those
over 25 years old. Young people aged
16 to 24 years are eligible for free treatment under the national chlamydia
screening programme.
Only individuals with a positive chlamydia test result would be considered
for supply and the test must be a recognised NAAT (nucleic acid amplification
test), either purchased privately or provided through the NHS. Linked
IT technology must be in place so that pharmacists can check test results
at the point of sale, says the consultation document.
It is thought that OTC supply will help genito-urinary medicine clinics
to prioritise their waiting lists so that symptomatic cases can be treated
more quickly. The consultation document emphasises that the reclassification
will not replace existing services — NHS supply of the medicine
on a prescription or via an NHS or private patient group direction — but
will complement them, allowing individuals an alternative choice of how
to access treatment.
“The option of purchasing azithromycin through a pharmacy offers
individuals the opportunity to access rapidly treatment from a convenient
location
as soon as they have been notified of a positive test result,” the
consultation says.
The consultation also seeks views on whether partners of patients should
be able to purchase treatment over the counter without a positive test
result, or whether azithromycin should be sold only to partners who have
a positive result.
As a P medicine, azithromycin would be available over the counter only
from pharmacies in which the staff had completed validated training.
Two sets of training materials will be developed — one for pharmacists
and one for medicines counter assistants. The pharmacy training package
will encourage liaison with the local sexual health lead, GUM clinician
and chlamydia co-ordinator. Pharmacists will refer customers to the GUM
clinic and to the national chlamydia screening programme where appropriate.
Comments on the proposed reclassification should be sent to Veronica
Popo in Room 14–138, Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8
5NQ (e-mail veronica.popo@mhra.gsi.gov.uk)
by 2 August 2007.
Loperamide
reclassification The MHRA is also consulting
on a request to reclassify Imodium (loperamide) capsules and Imodium Instants
from
a pharmacy medicine to
a general sale list medicine for the symptomatic treatment of acute episodes
of diarrhoea associated with irritable bowel syndrome in adults aged 18 years
and over following initial diagnosis by a doctor. The maximum pack size would
be six dosage forms, equivalent to one day’s treatment. Comments on the
request should be sent to Veronica Popo (as above) by 13 July 2007. |
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