PDA challenges RPS on potential policy shift for P-meds

PDA urges RPS to maintain current controls around pharmacy-only (p) medicines to protect patient safety

The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) is expressing strong concerns ahead of a Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) board meeting scheduled for Wednesday 19 June (today), which will review the policy on the open display of Pharmacy-only (P) medicines.

This review could potentially overturn the existing prohibition against self-selection of these medicines in community pharmacies.

Historically, P medicines have been controlled in a more regulated environment within pharmacies to ensure patient safety, guided by the expertise of pharmacists.

The PDA and RPS have previously united in 2012 to successfully campaign against the open display of P medicines, emphasising the risks associated with such accessibility.

The PDA fears that allowing self-selection could undermine these safeguards, making potent medications more prone to misuse and reducing pharmacists' ability to guide appropriate treatment.

The upcoming RPS meeting, which includes presentations from Boots, has not consulted with the broader professional community, according to the PDA.

This lack of engagement is reminiscent of the situation in 2012 when pharmacists overwhelmingly opposed similar proposals.

A PDA statement highlighted that the profession's consensus was clear: open display of P medicines complicates pharmacists' roles in maintaining patient safety.

One of the RPS’s arguments for revisiting the policy is the potential for increased over-the-counter sales, which could financially benefit pharmacies.

However, the PDA argues that the RPS’s focus should remain on supporting pharmacists in their professional capacities and prioritising patient safety over commercial interests.

The PDA urges the RPS to reject any policy change that would permit self-selection of P medicines, warning that such a shift could compromise patient safety and professional integrity.

They remind the RPS that the role of pharmacists is to manage these medicines carefully and ensure their proper use, a cornerstone of pharmacy practice.

The PDA's stance is reinforced by historical context; in 2012, a chief pharmacist notably remarked, “P medicines are the tools of a clinician, and they should not be made available on open display.”

The PDA believes that maintaining the controlled sale of P medicines is crucial for patient safety and the professional responsibilities of pharmacists.

What is the current policy on Pharmacy-only(P) medicines ?

The current policy for Pharmacy-only (P) medicines in the UK is that they must not be accessible to the public for self-selection.

These medications are typically stored behind the pharmacy counter and can only be sold after a consultation with a pharmacist.

This policy is intended to ensure that pharmacists can provide the necessary guidance on the proper use of these medicines, assess potential risks, and ensure that they are appropriate for the patient's condition.

This controlled access aims to enhance patient safety and minimise the risk of misuse or inappropriate use of potent medications.