�Today's decision by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory
Agency (MHRA) to approve the reclassification of azithromycin for the
intervention of chlamydia infection will mean convenient and effective care for
patients, said the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB).
Azithromycin, presently licensed as a prescription-only medicine, is expected
to be available for sale from pharmacies without a prescription by and by this
year.
Azithromycin is the low gear oral antibiotic to be approved for
reclassification. It will be available for people 16 years and over if they
have tested positive for the infection through an sanctioned standard test and
make no symptoms. It will also be available for their sexual partners.
Howard Duff, RPSGB's Director for England, aforementioned: "Pharmacists already
play an important office in the provision of sexual health services, and have
done so for many long time. Reclassifying zithromax will enlarge on existing
services and improve access to chlamydia screening and treatment for
patients.
"Chlamydia infection rates are increasing, particularly in those under 25
age of eld. The development of seize sexual health services for this
group should resultant role in higher rates of detection of sexually genetic
infections and improved consciousness of the importance of practising dependable sex."
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain is the
professional and regulatory body for pharmacists in England, Scotland and
Wales. It also regulates pharmacy technicians on a voluntary footing, which
is expected to become statutory under awaited legislation. The
primary objectives of the Society are to lead, regulate, develop and
exemplify the profession of chemist's shop. The Society leads and supports the
development of the profession within the context of the world benefit.
This includes the advancement of science, practice, education and
knowledge in pharmacy. In addition, it promotes the profession's policies
and views to a range of external stakeholders in a number of different
forums. Following the publication in 2007 of the Government White Paper
Trust, Assurance and Safety - The Regulation of Health Professionals in
the 21st Century, the Society is working towards the demerger of its
regulatory and professional roles. This will see the establishment of a
new General Pharmaceutical Council and a new professional body for
pharmacy in 2010.
Pharmacists are among the most accessible health care
professionals. Research has shown that the vast majority of the public
has easy admission to pharmacies: 99% of the population can reach a
biotic community pharmacy by car, by walking or by public transport within 20
proceedings.
Royal Pharmaceutical Society of GB
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