Index
Here we will explain the legal categories, with examples of medicines in each of the categories.
We also explain how the categories relate to the term over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Medications by prescription only
Packages of drugs classified as “prescription only” can only be obtained against a valid prescription issued by an authorized health professional.
The prescription must be taken to a pharmacy where the medication is prepared under the supervision of a pharmacist. Sometimes, the prescription is completed in a doctor’s dispensing surgery.
A member of the public can not buy a prescription medication (POM).
A rectangular box enclosing the letters POM appears on the prescription drug packages.
In general, prescription drugs are only used for the conditions that are best diagnosed and managed by health professionals.
Some examples of prescription medications include virtually all antibiotics and medications to treat high blood pressure .
Pharmacy drugs
People can buy products classified as “pharmacy drugs” but only at a pharmacy and in the presence of a pharmacist.
These medications are usually not shown on open shelves.
A rectangular box that encloses the letter P appears on the pharmacy medication package.
Pharmacy drug packages are generally for the short-term treatment of medical conditions that can be easily identified and are not likely to persist. Although sometimes they may be available for the treatment of long-term conditions.
Pharmacy drugs should be used with more care than those sold at other retail outlets and people may need special treatment advice.
Pharmacy staff can talk to the buyer about how the medication will be used, ask questions to make sure the chosen medication is appropriate.
And check if the person needs to see another health professional, such as a doctor.
The package usually includes advice to see a health professional if the condition does not improve or worsens or, in the case of long-term conditions, if a doctor has not been consulted for a while.
Compared to the packages available at the point of sale, medicines such as ibuprofen and paracetamol can be purchased in larger packages under the supervision of a pharmacist.
But there may still be a limit on the amount of pharmaceutical medicine a person can buy.
This helps avoid long-term and possibly long-term harmful use and reduces the delay in diagnosing a condition that requires different treatment.
Other examples of pharmacy drugs include tablets for emergency contraceptionand medicines that contain codeine to treat pain that is not relieved by aspirin, ibuprofen or paracetamol alone.
General sale medications
People can buy general-sale drug packages at retail stores, such as corner stores and supermarkets.
Medications, also called drugs from the general sales list (GSL), are also available for self-selection in pharmacies.
General-sale medications are taken for common, easily recognizable ailments, which usually last about 2-3 days.
These medications cause few problematic side effects in normal use.
To reduce the chances of harm from misuse, many general-purpose drug packages contain only a few doses and often provide advice for help from a health professional.
If the condition does not improve or worsens. A general-purpose drug may be recommended to treat a limited range of conditions.
While the same drug can be used for a wider range of conditions when sold as a pharmacy drug and an even wider range of prescription drugs.
Prescription medications and pharmacy medications can be used at higher doses and for a longer duration than general-sale medications.
In addition, medications in sales packages can generally be used only for certain groups of people; For example, you may not recommend it to children or during pregnancy.
Examples of general-sale medications include small packs of analgesics and antihistamines for hay fever and other allergies.
Over the counter drugs
Over-the-counter (OTC) medications cover all general-sale medications and pharmacy medications.
The description conveniently distinguishes the medicines that can be purchased from those that should be prescribed.
The term “over-the-counter” drugs is informal and is not used in the UK drug regulations.
Change the legal classification of a medicine:
The legal classification of a medicine can sometimes change, we call this reclassification.
It is also sometimes called ‘change’. Growing confidence in the role of medicine and a better understanding of its side effects can lead to a change in classification.
Prescription drugs for pharmacy
A medication will not have a prescription unless it meets the criteria for the prescription control as set forth below.
The recipe-only status will apply when:
There is a direct or indirect danger to human health, even when used correctly, if used without medical supervision.
Often there is an incorrect use that could lead to a direct or indirect danger to human health.
Further investigation of the activity and / or side effects is required.
The product is usually prescribed for parenteral administration (by injection).
In the United Kingdom, these criteria are set out in the 2012 Human Medicines Regulation.
Pharmacy medicine to the general sale list
According to the provisions of The Human Medicines Regulations 2012, rule 62 (5), GSL. It is appropriate for medications that, with reasonable safety, may be sold or otherwise provided under the supervision of a pharmacist.
The term “with reasonable safety” has been defined as: “when the danger to health, the risk of misuse or the need to take special precautions in handling is small and when a larger sale would be a convenience for the buyer” .
Reclassification
Introduction of one or more additional legal classes.
For example, a prescription drug can only be further classified into a category of pharmacy medicine or a category of general sale medicine.
In such a case, the quantity, dosage and conditions for which the medication is used may be restricted when they are delivered within the new categories as compared to the original category of prescription only.
Change completely from one classification to another. For example, all packages in a category of pharmacy drugs could be changed to the category of general retail medicine.
In this case, the previous pharmacy medicine category will no longer apply to that medication from time to time, the elimination of a category of general sale medicine or a category of pharmacy medicine, leaving the drug ranked in fewer categories
Evidence to support the classification change:
A proposal to change the classification of a drug must be supported by good evidence that focuses on the risk to the public of changing the classification.
The evidence may include clinical studies, extensive clinical use indicating an acceptable level of side effects.
Advice from experts, points of view of relevant health professionals and their professional bodies, as well as the views of relevant public associations and people interested in the medicine under consideration.
The evidence must show that the risk to the public will be adequately managed. This may involve linking the proposed classification change to measures that include:
- Varying or restricting the introduction.
- Dosing new training and information related to medicine for health professionals.
- Duration of use clear guide to the public about labels and brochures about when and how to use the medication.
- Package size means collecting evidence about the effectiveness and safety of the new classification.
- Permissible uses of medicine.
- Categories of people who can use the medication.
Types of medicines
Most medications come in a variety of types or formats. Keep in mind, however, that some medications (particularly rare or unusual).
Some may be more effective in one type than in another.
Liquid:
The active part of the medication is combined with a liquid to make it easier to take or better absorbed.
A liquid can also be called a “mixture”, “solution” or “syrup”. Many common liquids are now available without any color or added sugar.
Tablet:
The active ingredient is combined with another substance and pressed into a round or oval solid form.
There are different types of tablets. Soluble or dispersible tablets can be dissolved safely in water.
Capsules:
The active part of the medicine is contained within a plastic cover that dissolves slowly in the stomach.
Some capsules can be separated so that the content can be mixed with a favorite food.
Others must be swallowed whole so that the medication is not absorbed until stomach acid breaks the capsule’s cover.
Topical medications:
These are creams, lotions or ointments that are applied directly to the skin. They come in tubs, bottles or tubes depending on the type of medicine.
The active part of the drug is mixed with another substance that facilitates the application to the skin.
Suppositories:
The active part of the drug is combined with another substance and pressed into a “bullet” so that it can be inserted into the rectum (posterior step). Suppositories should not be swallowed.
Drops:
They are often used where the active part of the medication works best if it goes directly to the affected area. They tend to be used for eyes, ears and nose.
Inhalers:
The active part of the drug is released under pressure directly into the lungs.
Young children may need to use a “spacer” device to take the medication properly.
Inhalers can be difficult to use at first, so your pharmacist will show you how to manage them.
Injections:
There are several types of injection, which differ in how and where it is injected. Subcutaneous or SC injections are administered just below the surface of the skin.
Intramuscular or IM injections are administered in a muscle. The intrathecal injections are administered in the fluid surrounding the spinal cord.
Intravenous injections are given in a vein. Some injections can be given at home, but most are given at your doctor’s office or at the hospital.
Implants or patches:
Some medications are absorbed by the body through the skin, such as nicotine patches to help stop smoking or contraceptive implants.
Oral or sublingual tablets or fluids:
These look like normal tablets or liquids, but they are not ingested. Oral medications are kept on the cheek so that the lining of the mouth absorbs the active ingredient.
Sublingual medications work in the same way but are placed under the tongue. Oral and sublingual medications are only administered in very specific circumstances.
Classification of drugs by groups
There are different ways to group or classify medicines. One way is by grouping medicines according to their use or therapeutic class, such as antiarrhythmic drugsor diuretics.
A second way of grouping drugs is by their dominant mechanism of action.
Because many medications have multiple mechanisms of action, it is sometimes difficult to agree on how to classify a particular medication.
However, the following list attempts to classify medications according to their dominant mechanism of action, or by the mechanism that is most therapeutically relevant to the disease.
- Adenosine receptor agonists.
- Aldosterone receptor antagonists.
- Alpha-adrenoceptor agonists (alpha-agonists).
- Alpha-adrenoceptor blockers (alpha-blockers).
- Inhibitors of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE).
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (BRA).
- Agonistas del beta-adrenoceptor (beta-agonists).
- Beta-adrenoceptor blockers (beta-blockers).
- Calcium channel blockers (CCB).
- Central action sympatholytics.
- Vasodilators direct action.
- Diuretics (cycle, thiazide , potassium-sparing).
- Endothelin receptor antagonists.
- Fibrinolítico (trombolítico).
- Ganglionic blockers
- Antagonists of the muscarinic receptor.
- Na + -K + – ATPase pump inhibitors (cardiac glycosides).
- Natriuretic peptides.
- Nitrodilatadores.
- Inhibitors of phosphodiesterase.
- Potassium channel blockers.
- Potassium channel openers.
- Renin inhibitors .
- Sodium channel blockers.
- Sodium channel blocker.
- Sympathomimetics
- Trombolítico (fibrinolítico).
- Vasopressin analogues.
