The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 278 No 7458 p762
30 June 2007

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P medicines should not be self-selected

Pharmacy-only medicines must not be available for self-selection by members of the public, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's Council has concluded following its consultation on the matter, which closed in April this year.

Over 90 per cent of consultation respondents agreed that the Society should place professional restrictions on access and display of P medicines. Just under two thirds agreed with prohibition on self-selection of the products.

The National Pharmacy Association said that the public’s interests are best served if pharmacy medicines are not available for self-selection but that this should not rule out open display.

The Society has stipulated that the current restrictions do not preclude displaying P medicines for better viewing by the public.

The NPA said: “We believe that the Society has shown professional leadership in this issue and has made a decision that will protect public safety while recognising that a more modern approach to the display of goods is now possible.”


The Society p779