General sales medicine

Question 1

Is PO (pharmacy only) a legal classification?

Answer 1

No

Question 2

Who re-classifies medicines?

Answer 2

MHRA

Question 3

In what direction do medicines usually move when re-classified?

Answer 3

POM -> P -> GSL

Question 4

What are the benefits of re-classifying medicines?

Answer 4

• Widens patient’s access
• Greater use of pharmacists’ expertise
• Saves cost for NHS

Question 5

Give examples of medicines that have recently been moved from POM to P

Answer 5

• Tamsulosin
• Naproxen
• Chloramphenicol
• Sumatriptan
• Sildenafil

Question 6

Define a GSL medicine

Answer 6

Product that it not a POM or P + covered by marketing authorisation that product is to be available on general sale

Question 7

What are the conditions when selling GSL medicines?

Answer 7

• Premises are able to be closed to exclude public

- Product made up for sale in container elsewhere + not opened since

Question 8

What are the conditions when selling GSL medicines in vending machines?

Answer 8

Machine located in premises which is able to close to exclude public

Question 9

What are the conditions when selling GSL medicines in an aircraft or train?

Answer 9

• Sold by operator or commander of aircraft/train
• Product must be made up for sale in a container elsewhere
• Must be stored in part of aircraft/train which is able to close to exclude public

Question 10

List products that are not GSL

Answer 10

• Products containing greater than specified max daily dose of Vit A + D
• Eye ointment
• Anthelmintics
• Parenteral administrations
• Enemas
• Irrigation of wounds or of bladder, vagina or rectum
• Aspirin/aloxiprin for children