The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7458 p762
30 June 2007

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PAGB believes pseudoephedrine reclassification will negatively impact on self care

On the limited evidence available, it seems wrong for millions of people to lose access to medicines containing pseudoephedrine, outgoing president of the Proprietary Association of Great Britain, John Harold, said at the association's annual dinner last week.

Commenting on the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s proposal to make such products available only on prescription, Mr Harold said: “Reclassifying pseudoephedrine could cost the NHS in excess of £300m in additional doctor appointments and will divert resources from other areas where time could be better spent.”

Mr Harold also suggested it would shake confidence in Government commitment to making the pharmacist the first port of call for minor ailments and to a health policy based on self care and self medication.

He went on to criticise the commitment of policy makers to self care: “The Government wants people to manage minor ailments themselves but does virtually nothing to encourage self medication.”