Reclassification will help unlock access to medicines says RPS
Published: 7 February 2025
This news story was published when the organisation was the Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society welcomes the news from the Department of Health and Social Care encouraging more reclassification applications to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.
RPS is a member of the Conditions & Category Working Group, which has worked with the MHRA to identify medicines which could be reclassified from ‘available only on prescription’ (POM) to ‘available in pharmacy’ (P) to improve opportunities for self care and to enable timely and more convenient access to medicines.
Six broad health conditions have been identified where medicines could be reclassified to treat allergies, pain, skin problems, digestive disorders, women’s health and oral health, based on international practice and real-world evidence.
Reclassification of medicines enables people to be treated for specific conditions whilst receiving informed guidance, advice and support from their pharmacy team.
President of the RPS Professor Claire Anderson said:
“We welcome the news that applications for POM to P switches are being encouraged in six therapeutic areas. Reclassification can provide people with easier access to treatments for a range of symptoms and encourages self-care.
“Diagnosing and discussing health problems with patients and advising on the benefits and risks of treatment options are integral to the role of the pharmacy team.
“Enabling POM to P switches has a critical role to play in managing demand in primary care. It helps minimise unnecessary GP appointments and A&E attendances for minor conditions and ensures the public get the treatment they need from community pharmacies.
“As the professional leadership body for pharmacists, RPS will work closely with the MHRA and manufacturers to provide guidance ensuring what is provided to the public continues to be safe and appropriate for their condition.”
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