The advice to consumers from the Pharmacy Council continues:

14. What is a POM?

The term POM can be defined as either Prescription Only Medicines or Pharmacies Only Medication

Prescription Only Medicines are usually available from a pharmacy when a valid prescription is presented to the pharmacist. A pharmacist has to be on the premises for POM to be dispensed as required by law and the medicine must have been prescribed for the patient (except where the patient is a child, disabled or other exceptional cases).

Sensitise users about medicine use classifications. Examples are:

Antibiotics

Sedatives Diazepam (Valium)

Antidiabetic

Antihypertensive

Other drugs eg Sildenafll (Viagra)

Pharmacy Only Medication  (P) [refers to] medicines containing chemicals, or strengths or sizes which are more likely to cause interactions or need basic instruction on use by a health professional. The pharmacist will, in theory, determine whether the medicine is safe for the particular customer based on their responses to a set of questions; many pharmacies sell P medicines ‘no questions asked’ instead. Sometimes this is known as ‘behind-the-counter’ medication. These do not require a doctor’s prescription, just a discussion with a pharmacist.

“15. What is meant by counter prescribing?…

General principles

●  Pharmacists should ensure that they, and where appropriate their staff, have the knowledge and skills required to provide counselling and advice to patients effectively and efficiently

●  The principles also apply to the provision of advice on veterinary medicines by pharmacists and their staff.

“(a) Recognlsing and interpreting the condition

To make an assessment of the presenting symptoms, the following should always be explored with the patient or customer.

●  The identity of the patient: do not assume it is the person presenting [him/herself] in the pharmacy

●  The nature and duration of the symptoms

●  Concurrent or recent medication or treatment

●  Other symptoms that may or may not be associated with the condition. Where appropriate, observe other signs, visible or otherwise (eg, if the patient is present in the pharmacy, does he or she appear ill?)

“The possibility of serious disease should always be excluded. The following  should always be referred:

●  Symptoms that are potentially serious

●  Persistent symptoms

●  Patients at increased risk

● Particular care should be exercised when dealing with babies, infants and children, pregnant women, breast-feeding mothers and older people.”

To be continued