title: Non-prescription medicines: prescribing legislation.
abstract: This article discusses developments in prescribing legislation in relation to non-prescription medicines. The three supply categories are outlined: prescription only, general sale list, and pharmacy medicines. Changes in legislation towards increased availability of medicines that do not require prescription are covered and the implications for at-risk groups are discussed. A table of minor ailments and their principal treatments is provided.
authors.affiliation: Proprietary Association of Great Britain. alannathan@onetel.com
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nathan
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000145:classification; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D007880:Legislation, Drug; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024802:Nurse's Role; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010595:Pharmacists; D024382:Professional Role; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods*; D013222:State Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs