The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment Order 1998

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order amends the Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Order 1997 (“the principal Order”) which specifies descriptions and classes of prescription only medicines (i.e. medicinal products which, subject to exemptions, may be sold or supplied by retail only in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner and which may be administered only by or in accordance with the directions of such a practitioner). Under the principal Order products are included in a class of such medicines by reason of the substances contained in them, subject to their being excluded in specified circumstances.

The amendments made by this Order are as follows—

• the ending of the exemption under which insulin for parenteral administration could be sold or supplied otherwise than as a prescription only medicine (article 2);

• amendments to the conditions under which Hydrocortisone, Mebeverine Hydrochloride, Ranitidine Hydrochloride and Sodium Cromoglycate may be sold or supplied otherwise than as prescription only medicines (article 3);

• the inclusion in Schedule 1 to the principal Order of products containing the substances Estramustine Sodium Phosphate, Insulin, Mizolastine, Niceritrol, Piroxicam Beta-cyclodextrin and Torasemide (article 3);

• the inclusion in Schedule 3 to the principal Order of the substances Co-danthramer Capsules NPF, Co-danthramer Capsules, Strong NPF and Co-danthrusate Oral Suspension NPF, enabling them to be prescribed by appropriate nurse practitioners (article 4); and

• the inclusion in Part I of Schedule 5 to the principal Order of a list of substances which may be sold or supplied by chiropodists who hold the appropriate certificate of competence (article 5 and the Schedule) and the amendment of the list of substances in Part III of the said Schedule 5 which may be administered by state registered chiropodists with a certificate in the use of analgesics.

An assessment of the cost to business of complying with this Order has been made, copies of which have been placed in the libraries of both Houses of Parliament. Further copies may be obtained from the Department of Health, Medicines Control Agency, Information Centre, Room 1207 Market Towers, 1 Nine Elms Lane, London SW8 5NQ.