INCREASING THE NUMBER OF DRUGS AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER - ARGUMENTSFOR AND AGAINST

Many drugs previously restricted to prescription only status are being reclassified as pharmacy only status and hence are becoming available over the counter to patients. A general practitioner should make enqu iries about a patient's self-medication practices before deciding on t reatment for the patient. Over-the-counter medicines are considered sa fe and their increased use indicates that patients are taking greater responsibility for their own health and possibly taking some of the fi nancial burden of drug treatment from the National Health Service. The retention of their restriction to pharmacy only sale provides some ad ditional protection for patients and promotes the role of pharmacists in the care of patients. However, having more drugs available for self -treatment may encourage patients to believe that there is a drug trea tment for every ailment. Increasing the range of drugs available over the counter increases the risks of interactions and adverse reactions and of self-treatment being undertaken when medical aid should have be en sought. For general practitioners to recommend positively use of ov er-the-counter preparations may involve some medicolegal risks, and th e potential savings to the NHS may prove illusory. Education for patie nts and better communication between general practitioners and communi ty pharmacists are required to allow easier availability of modern med icines to patients in order to bring the benefits anticipated.