Classification of Medication
Each medication is classified to determine the level of control over its supply
On the box of each medicine, its classification is designated as either POM, P, GSL, or CD
Prescription Only Medicines (POM)
Has to be prescribed by a doctor or other authorised health professional and it has to be dispensed from a pharmacy or from another specifically licensed place
A rectangular box enclosing the letters POM appears on the packs of prescription-only medicines
Pharmacy Only Medicines (P)
This is an intermediate level of control
Pharmacy Only Medicines can be bought only from pharmacies and under a pharmacist’s supervision
A rectangular box enclosing the letter P appears on the packaging of pharmacy medicine
General Sales List Medicines (GSL)
General Sales List medication may be bought from retail stores, such as a newsagent, a supermarket or a vending machine in a shop
Over-the-Counter Medicines (OTC)
‘Over-the-counter (OTC) medicines’ covers all general sale medicines and pharmacy medicines. The description conveniently distinguishes medicines that can be bought from those that must be prescribed. The term ‘over the counter medicines’ is informal and is not used in the UK medicines regulations.
Controlled Drugs (CD)
These are drugs currently controlled under the misuse of drugs legislation
They are legal to use for medicinal purposes, but are subject to extra controls due to the risk of their misuse for recreational purposes
They are often powerful and have addictive properties, and special care should be taken to ensure they are kept safe & accounted for
