[petzneo]

http://www.pjonline.com/news/selfsel...head_next_year

Is this really necessary?

[ScoobyB4]

Probably not, I'm certainly against it but the conspiracy theorist in me says that the GPhC seems hell bent on diluting and breaking down the pharmacy profession as much as they can....

[jami74]

I keep thinking about this and wanting to reply to this thread but I can't think of anything sensible to say. I really can't imagine things like pseudoephedrine, naproxen, dextromethorphan, theophylline etc being available for self selection on the supermarket shelves.

Although on the other hand it would save counter assistants from dealing with stroppy customers who bang their fists on the counter and say "Just give it to me"

[New...Romantic]

(Original post by jami74)
I keep thinking about this and wanting to reply to this thread but I can't think of anything sensible to say. I really can't imagine things like pseudoephedrine, naproxen, dextromethorphan, theophylline etc being available for self selection on the supermarket shelves.

Although on the other hand it would save counter assistants from dealing with stroppy customers who bang their fists on the counter and say "Just give it to me"

I feel the same. I just don't understand what reasons the GPhC could possibly have for this. And I hate to say it but part of me thinks Scooby is right. The general public don't really regard pharmacists as healthcare professionals and have little respect for them or their knowledge. This is not going to help and will probably make more people view pharmacists as shopkeepers.

And it wouldn't really. It'd probably make those situations worse because it'll be harder to refuse a sale when the customer has something in their hand or can just go and pick another pack up if you take it off them.

There seems to be a lot of opposition, hopefully the GPhC will have some questions to answer and it won't get through.

http://www.pjonline.com/news/growing...cines_decision

[Angrystrudel]

(Original post by jami74)
I keep thinking about this and wanting to reply to this thread but I can't think of anything sensible to say. I really can't imagine things like pseudoephedrine, naproxen, dextromethorphan, theophylline etc being available for self selection on the supermarket shelves.

Although on the other hand it would save counter assistants from dealing with stroppy customers who bang their fists on the counter and say "Just give it to me"

Naproxen... meh. Not too much of a big deal. Not ideal by any stretch of the imagination but not a huge problem. Pseudoephedrine and codeine are two drugs which I don't think should be P medicines anyway. They put Pharmacists in an awkward position as it is without having no limits set. I haven't read the information on the GPhC website (too tired tonight lol) but I assume there won't be any "second check" at the till...?

[TigerSwift]

They're not getting rid of P medicines as a classification of medicines. Therefore a pharmacist will still need to be on the premises for these items to be supplied to patients.

To be fair, how many people here have gone to buy a P medicine, know its behind the counter and stood there trying to find it. I don't see how this is any different to self selection. If a patient doesn't know what they want they will ask someone, or they will stand there looking for ages - at which point a pharmacy professional should ask them if they need help.

Self selection doesn't mean the likes of Tesco can just start putting P medicines all over the store. They can only be sold and displayed from registered premises, which in the case of supermarkets and Boots is a generally very small area of the store. P medicines will still need to be sold from the pharmacy counter were the pharmacist can make interventions if necessary.

Also, in order for a pharmacy to be able to have P medicines open for self-selection they need to liaise with the GPhC to ensure sufficient safety aspects are in place to ensure the safety of the public and patients: Click here to see more

However, I do agree with you that this could build tensions between patients and the pharmacists. If a patient comes in looking for a P medicine (they have either used before or a friend/family-member has recommended) and sees it on the shelf they are going to want it. It may, as has been mentioned above, be difficult to dissuade a patient from that product if they don't actually need it. I also get the feeling that some patients and the public will see P medicines as being general consumable products like they already do with GSL medicines. Paracetamol is GSL and we see plenty of problems around its use.

The GPhC hasn't published the requirements that pharmacy owners need to meet to ensure they can offer self-selection of P medicines. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. But when you look at what's presented in this post I am still waiting to see how much of an effect it will really have.

[jami74]

(Original post by TigerSwift)
They're not getting rid of P medicines as a classification of medicines. Therefore a pharmacist will still need to be on the premises for these items to be supplied to patients.

To be fair, how many people here have gone to buy a P medicine, know its behind the counter and stood there trying to find it. I don't see how this is any different to self selection. If a patient doesn't know what they want they will ask someone, or they will stand there looking for ages - at which point a pharmacy professional should ask them if they need help.

Self selection doesn't mean the likes of Tesco can just start putting P medicines all over the store. They can only be sold and displayed from registered premises, which in the case of supermarkets and Boots is a generally very small area of the store. P medicines will still need to be sold from the pharmacy counter were the pharmacist can make interventions if necessary.

Also, in order for a pharmacy to be able to have P medicines open for self-selection they need to liaise with the GPhC to ensure sufficient safety aspects are in place to ensure the safety of the public and patients: Click here to see more

However, I do agree with you that this could build tensions between patients and the pharmacists. If a patient comes in looking for a P medicine (they have either used before or a friend/family-member has recommended) and sees it on the shelf they are going to want it. It may, as has been mentioned above, be difficult to dissuade a patient from that product if they don't actually need it. I also get the feeling that some patients and the public will see P medicines as being general consumable products like they already do with GSL medicines. Paracetamol is GSL and we see plenty of problems around its use.

The GPhC hasn't published the requirements that pharmacy owners need to meet to ensure they can offer self-selection of P medicines. We'll just have to wait and see what happens. But when you look at what's presented in this post I am still waiting to see how much of an effect it will really have.

So it sounds like it won't be that different then, just slightly harder to say 'no' to someone who has the product in their hands especially in places like Tesco where they'll try to take it to the main tills and then get more huffed and puffed when they are told they need to return to the pharmacy. I agree it will help people find products though, I'm sure heaps more Night Nurse would be sold if it was on the shop floor, everyone has heard of it but lots of people have never managed to find it. The empty boxes with 'take to pharmacy' on them would be a good compromise but that takes up twice as much space.

[TigerSwift]

(Original post by jami74)
So it sounds like it won't be that different then, just slightly harder to say 'no' to someone who has the product in their hands especially in places like Tesco where they'll try to take it to the main tills and then get more huffed and puffed when they are told they need to return to the pharmacy. I agree it will help people find products though, I'm sure heaps more Night Nurse would be sold if it was on the shop floor, everyone has heard of it but lots of people have never managed to find it. The empty boxes with 'take to pharmacy' on them would be a good compromise but that takes up twice as much space.

I'm actually not sure if they'll even be able to take the item from the pharmacy area to the main till in supermarkets. I am not 100% sure on how much of the shop is the licensed pharmacy but something makes me think its the counter itself and the dispensary. By law pharmacies have to be able to exclude access to medicines when the pharmacy is closed - so they'll have to be able to lock them away somehow.

And I agree with you on space issue. I think commercial environments like supermarkets and large chains are unlikely to compromised shelf-space that can't convert to direct sales, or need to be shut off from public access when the pharmacy is closed.

[smernoff]

Here it is, the beginning of the end for pharmacy...

[New...Romantic]

What about shoplifting as well? I'm not saying everyone who's refused co-codamol will just steal it but it does make it easier. Maybe I've just worked in some dodgy areas...

I think we will have to wait and see what restrictions are put in place but I have to say, I don't see how this makes life any easier for pharmacy staff or customers. It doesn't save much time picking something off the shelf instead of asking for it at the counter, maybe I'm missing something but I just don't really understand.