Reclassification Of Azithromycin From POM To P - An Unparalleled Opportunity, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 07 Aug 2008 - 1:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

The NPA regards the switch of azithromycin from POM to P as an unparalleled opportunity for community pharmacy to become an alternative option for safe and effective treatment for chlamydia infection.

Under the proposed pharmacy model, patients benefit from an additional source of testing and treatment - on a nationwide scale. This additional route would fill a gap in provision, making it easier and quicker for people to receive screening and appropriate treatment. It will also provide a convenient and confidential option for people who would prefer not to attend a GUM clinic or GP surgery for chlamydia treatment. This pharmacy service will also be helpful to the National Chlamydia Screening Programme through the sharing of anonymised demographic data with the NHS.

Colette McCreedy, NPA Chief Pharmacist said:


"The NPA supports this reclassification wholeheartedly as we believe community pharmacies are ideally placed to offer chlamydia screening and treatment. We also believe that the proposed pharmacy service will complement existing provision within the NHS and will help to ease the financial restrictions and overstretched resources currently affecting existing services for this rapidly escalating problem."

And adds:
"The MHRA has demonstrated great confidence in pharmacy by bringing an antibiotic to the P market. This will, we hope, mark the beginning of a new phase of POM to P switches."

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) was established in 1921 as the trade association of community pharmacy owners. To reflect the changes in the pharmacy environment the NPA now extends membership and its associated benefits to all members of the community pharmacy infrastructure.

National Pharmacy Association