Helen Darracott provides some of the background information around switching today; explaining how the reclassification of medicines plays an important role in helping the population look after their health and also the innovation switching creates in the industry.

 

John Smith provides some of the facts and figures for selfcare in the United Kingdom, and considers switching has progressed in the last 25 years. Looking to the future John Smith calls for government communication about self care, better training for pharmacists and support from doctors. He

Dr June Raine pays tribute to the successful switches of the past 25 years and the contribution that many have made to public health. Flagging up the key public health issues which could be triggers for the next wave of switches.

 

Biography:

 

Dr June Raine trained in general medicine in Oxford

 

Keith Ridge and Tony Humphreys tackle this question providing their views on moving medicines straight to GSL. Both are in favour of the United Kingdoms “P” category which is unlike the EU’s system that has just one non prescription category.

 

The advertising of medicines is regulated to ensure the quality of information given to the public, this helps maintain a standard that the public can trust and ensures that the advertisements are not misleading.

 

The panel members provide their opinions about the best way to improve the switching process in Europe, mainly looking at changes in the regulatory framework. Finding a way to promote the quality of pharmacists across Europe, being one of the main points.

 

Due to the product cost of some recent switches some people may feel that these products exaggerate social inequalities, however very little is known about the rationale for pharmacists' concerns about costs, since it is unclear whether this is reflecting people's real or perceived ability and /

Keith Ridge dismisses the possibility of a “super P” category if it means that pharmacists have to be personally involved in the supply of a medicine as it runs contrary to developing policy to allow pharmacists to leave their pharmacy base to carry out other duties and services. Keith also

A recent survey of pharmacists has also shown that Patient Group directions are favoured by some pharmacists; the panel discuss their views on the role of PGD’s when moving prescription only medicines to pharmacy.

 

The panel look at where the future of switching will lead as some people think most of the more traditional areas for switching have already been tackled. Sheila Kelly and Dr Ian Banks provide their opinions on the changing environment of medicine reclassification, agreeing that the future for

The British National Formulary is a drug reference manual providing a spectrum of information on all medications. At present the closest thing to this is PAGB’s OTC directory. The panel consider whether a BNF for patients would enable patients to access information from a reputable and trustworthy

Looking to the future of switching the panel members explain how they hope the role of switching will progress in the future. The infrastructure in place for supplying medicines, information and role of the public are all mentioned as important factors for the progression of switching.

 

Sir Gordon Duff closes the proceedings bringing attention to some of the new switches that will be available in the pharmacy to tackle new areas in public health.