Reclassification Of Azithromycin 500mg Tablets From POM To P For The Treatment Of Chlamydia, UK

Main Category: Pharmacy / Pharmacist
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 03 Aug 2007 - 2:00 PDT

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PSNC responds to consultation document ARM 43 - reclassification of Azithromycin 500mg tablets from POM to P for the treatment of Chlamydia.

PSNC fully supports the reclassification of Azithromycin 500mg tablets to Pharmacy status for the treatment of Chlamydia.

It is the policy of PSNC that sexual health services in general, should be available from the maximum number of pharmacies on a national basis.

Commenting on the response, Steve Lutener, Head of Regulation said:

"The reclassification of Azithromycin allows suitably trained pharmacists to play a vital part in the fight against sexually transmitted infections in the UK. This will not only reduce workload on medical practitioners, but also make the service much more accessible since patients would be able to access the service at a time and place to suit them without making an appointment.

There are, however, issues with regards to accessing test results by pharmacies. We hope the technical obstacles can be resolved so that the reclassification will lead to genuine increased availability of treatment."

1. The Pharmaceutical Services Negotiating Committee (PSNC) is the body that represents community pharmacy on NHS matters and seeks to secure the best possible NHS services provided by pharmacy contractors in England and Wales.

http://www.psnc.org.uk