The document discusses proposed changes to standards regarding self-selection of pharmacy medicines. It notes arguments for and against enabling self-selection, and proposes drafting compliance guidance on the issue rather than including prescriptive prohibitions in the standards. The guidance would be subject to consultation and published in early 2013, with the current prohibition on self-selection remaining in place until then. It seeks feedback on the proposals and risks to address.

1. Self Selection of P
medicines – The Journey

2. What we proposed and why
• Outcome focussed standards
• No one size fits all approach
• Encourages joint decision making and meaningful
discussion
• Legal framework remains
• Enables tailored service provision
Therefore, the draft standards did not contain a
prescriptive prohibition

3. What we have heard
For (enabling self selection) Against (enabling self selection)
• Should be safe to rely on the professional • Medicines are not ordinary items of
judgement of pharmacists who decide what commerce
medicines should be on display
• Cost and time benefit • High risk, theft
• Reflects that one size doesn’t fit all • Erosion of the P category
• Supports informed decision making • GPhC not carrying out its role in protecting
patient safety + public interest
• Encourages collaboration and dialogue • Commercial managers will use the changes
to ‘market’ P medicines more aggressively
• Introduce inconsistencies in the availability
of medicines – confusing

4. Our proposals
• No prescriptive statement in standards
• Draft compliance guidance
• Compliance guidance subject to consultation and
published early 2013
• Until publication of compliance guidance –
prohibition on self selection remains
Next steps
• Draft compliance guidance

5. Discussion
• Are you content with the proposals?
• What risks, if any, do you think we need
to address?
• In addition to compliance guidance, what
other mechanisms can we use to manage
these?