The list of over-the-counter medications has been updated. The Ministry of Health proposes a new list of over-the-counter medicines
A draft of a new edition of the list of over-the-counter medicines has been developed.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Inspection and Organization of Drug Supply of the Ministry of Health has prepared a draft of a new edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription. This was reported by the head of the department, Natalya Malashko.
The previous edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription was approved by the Ministry of Health Resolution No. 55 dated June 5, 2012. The new project was developed taking into account the proposals of the Main Directorate for the Organization of Medical Care, Expertise, and appeals from citizens and legal entities of the Ministry of Health.
One of the significant changes is the abolition of the norms for the dispensing of medicines, which were introduced in 2012: no more than 50 doses of tablets, dragees, capsules, lozenges, granules, powders or no more than one package containing over 50 doses, and no more than two packages of others dosage forms,” noted Natalya Malashko. - Dispensing standards have been preserved only for certain drugs: alcohol- and phenobarbital-containing drugs (Corvalol, hawthorn tincture, valerian, etc.), potassium permanganate.
The list has been updated taking into account the presence or absence of registration of medicines from June 2012 to the present. The specific names of all homeopathic drugs have been removed, since over-the-counter dispensing procedures have been determined for them, with the exception of injectable dosage forms.
Medicines are included in the list under international nonproprietary names (INN), if available, indicating dosage forms (tablets, capsules, dragees, powder, etc.). If a drug does not have an INN (for example, for certain combination or herbal preparations), then they are included in the list under trade names.
Thus, the approach to the procedure for selling medicines with one INN, but with different trade names, is unified,” Natalya Vladimirovna emphasizes. - In this case, all trade names will be sold without a prescription, which will create equal conditions for market access for manufacturers and provide the opportunity to choose drugs for patients.
The new edition excludes from the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription:
some injection drugs (including alflutop, actovegin, solcoseryl, lidocaine, antibacterial drugs);
glucocorticosteroids for inhalation use, since they have a systemic effect and are not intended for use without a doctor’s recommendation, are dispensed from pharmacies on preferential prescriptions;
glucocorticosteroids for intranasal use;
combined oral contraceptives, with the exception of emergency contraception;
5-alpha reductase inhibitors (finasteride, dutasteride) due to changes in the safety profile;
clindamycin (in forms for vaginal use), metformin and some drugs that affect the cardiovascular system: propafenone, hydrochlorothiazide in combination with triamterene, spironolactone, torasemide and the beta-blocker atenolol in combination with a diuretic and a calcium channel blocker due to the occurrence of in a number of cases, serious adverse reactions when used independently;
some imported eye drops, which are a combination of an antibacterial component with glucocorticosteroids.
The group of antibacterial drugs has been reduced. Among the antibiotics on the list of drugs sold without a doctor's prescription, amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid, ampicillin, doxycycline and nitrofuran derivatives in forms for internal use remained.
The decision to dispense injectable drugs by prescription is due to the increasing incidence of serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock, explained Natalya Malashko. - Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics used for acute conditions remain on the list of over-the-counter drugs.
The Department of Pharmaceutical Inspection and Organization of Drug Supply of the Ministry of Health has prepared a draft of a new edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription. The head of the department spoke about this Natalia Malashko publication "Medical Bulletin", reports BELTA.
The previous edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription was approved by Resolution of the Ministry of Health dated June 5, 2012 No. 55. The new project was developed taking into account the proposals of the Main Directorate for the Organization of Medical Care, examination, requests from citizens and legal entities of the Ministry of Health.
“One of the significant changes is the abolition of the norms for the dispensing of medicines, which were introduced in 2012: no more than 50 doses of tablets, dragees, capsules, lozenges, granules, powders or no more than one package containing more than 50 doses, and no more than two packages other dosage forms,” noted Natalya Malashko. “Dispensing standards have been preserved only for certain drugs: alcohol- and phenobarbital-containing drugs (Corvalol, tincture of hawthorn, valerian, etc.), levonorgestrel, mifepristone, potassium permanganate.”
The list has been updated taking into account the presence or absence of registration of medicines from June 2012 to the present. The specific names of all homeopathic drugs have been removed, since over-the-counter dispensing procedures have been determined for them, with the exception of injectable dosage forms.
Medicines are included in the list under international nonproprietary names (INN), if available, indicating dosage forms (tablets, capsules, dragees, powder, etc.). If a drug does not have an INN (for example, for individual combination drugs or herbal origin), then they are included in the list under trade names.
Thus, the approach to the procedure for selling medicines with the same INN, but with different trade names, is unified, added Natalya Malashko. In this case, all trade names will be sold without a prescription, which will create equal conditions for market access for manufacturers and provide the opportunity to choose drugs for patients.
In the new edition, the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription excludes, in particular, most injectable medicines (including Alflutop, Actovegin, Solcoseryl, Lidocaine, antibacterial drugs), glucocorticosteroids for inhalation applications, since they have a systemic effect and are not intended for use without a doctor’s recommendation, are dispensed from pharmacies on preferential prescriptions. This also applies to drugs such as clindamycin (in forms for vaginal use), metformin and some drugs that affect the cardiovascular system: propafenone, hydrochlorothiazide in combination with triamterene, spironolactone, torasemide and the beta-blocker atenolol in combination with a diuretic and blocker calcium channels due to serious adverse reactions that occur in some cases when used independently. Some imported eye drops, which are a combination of an antibacterial component with glucocorticosteroids and have no domestic analogues, are excluded from the list.
The group of antibacterial drugs has been significantly reduced. Among the antibiotics on the list of drugs sold without a doctor's prescription, amoxicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline and nitrofuran derivatives in forms for internal use remained.
“The decision to dispense most injectable drugs by prescription is due to the increasing incidence of serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock,” explained Natalya Malashko. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics used for acute conditions remain on the list of over-the-counter drugs.”
The Ministry of Health proposes to discuss a new list of medications that can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription. The new list of drugs is posted on the department’s website.
The photograph is used as an illustration. Photo: Reuters
“The project has been updated taking into account the presence or absence of registration of medicines and has not changed significantly in comparison with the current one,” they comment Ministry of Health. — Our specialists are looking forward to suggestions and comments from specialists, including medical practitioners and suppliers.
TUT.BY compared two lists of over-the-counter medications - the current one and the new one, which the Ministry of Health proposes to discuss.
The draft new list lists medicines under international nonproprietary names (if available), i.e. all medicines with such INNs in the forms specified in the resolution, regardless of their trade names, will be sold without a prescription.
For example, as before, without a prescription, pharmacies offer to sell powders that are used for colds, gels and tablets for heartburn, and anesthetics. Antivirals such as Groprinosin, Arbidol, Arpetol will continue to be sold without prescriptions. But the Ministry of Health proposes to dispense Oseltamivir by prescription.
— Doctors assumed that all systemic antibiotics—those taken orally or by injection—would be removed from the new list of over-the-counter drugs. However, only one was taken out,” comments Tatyana Erofeeva, general practitioner at the Lode Medical Center. “I think everything should have been removed.” After all, our people tend to self-prescribe antibacterial drugs. Often in cases that are not sufficiently justified for this purpose.
For example, the interlocutor says, a person has a cold or runny nose, and he immediately takes an antibiotic. Although it is too early or not at all ineffective to do this. Such self-medication leads to the body's resistance to these drugs.
The specialist also notes that two drugs that are used for high blood pressure and heart disease have been removed from the new list.
“That’s right, because modern drugs are much more effective, but for some reason they were prescribed,” the therapist continues. - And these old ones, with a lot of side effects - without it.
The fact that the list of medications that can be bought without a doctor’s prescription may become shorter, the doctor notes many advantages. With this, she says, we are getting closer to European standards.
— Medicines with serious side effects should not be sold just like that. Just like medications for diseases that require medical supervision,” she explains her position. — Let’s say hypertension, which needs to be monitored at least twice a year. In Europe, the same “Captopril” can be bought only with a doctor’s prescription.
Tatyana Erofeeva believes that this situation disciplines people.
The new list of drugs that will be sold without a prescription can be viewed or on the Ministry of Health website in the “Drug Policy” section.
Comments and suggestions on the draft resolution are proposed to be sent to the Department of Pharmaceutical Inspection and Organization of Drug Supply of the Ministry of Health by email [email protected]. Letters will be accepted until June 16, 2017.
“One of the significant changes is the abolition of the standards for the dispensing of medicines, which were introduced in 2012: no more than 50 doses of tablets, dragees, capsules, lozenges, granules, powders or no more than one package containing more than 50 doses, and no more than two packages "other dosage forms," noted Natalya Malashko. "Dispensing standards have been preserved only for certain drugs: alcohol- and phenobarbital-containing drugs (Corvalol, hawthorn tincture, valerian, etc.), levonorgestrel, mifepristone, potassium permanganate."
The list has been updated taking into account the presence or absence of registration of medicines from June 2012 to the present. The specific names of all homeopathic drugs have been removed, since over-the-counter dispensing procedures have been determined for them, with the exception of injectable dosage forms. Medicines are included in the list under international nonproprietary names (INN), if available, indicating dosage forms (tablets, capsules, dragees, powder, etc.). If a drug does not have an INN (for example, for individual combination drugs or herbal origin), then they are included in the list under trade names.
Thus, the approach to the procedure for selling medicines with the same INN, but with different trade names, is unified, added Natalya Malashko. In this case, all trade names will be sold without a prescription, which will create equal conditions for market access for manufacturers and provide the opportunity to choose drugs for patients. In the new edition, the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription excludes, in particular, most injectable medicines (including Alflutop, Actovegin, Solcoseryl, Lidocaine, antibacterial drugs), glucocorticosteroids for inhalation applications, since they have a systemic effect and are not intended for use without a doctor’s recommendation, are dispensed from pharmacies on preferential prescriptions. This also applies to drugs such as clindamycin (in forms for vaginal use), metformin and some drugs that affect the cardiovascular system: propafenone, hydrochlorothiazide in combination with triamterene, spironolactone, torasemide and the beta-blocker atenolol in combination with a diuretic and blocker calcium channels due to serious adverse reactions that occur in some cases when used independently.
Some imported eye drops, which are a combination of an antibacterial component with glucocorticosteroids and have no domestic analogues, are excluded from the list. The group of antibacterial drugs has been significantly reduced. Among the antibiotics on the list of drugs sold without a doctor's prescription, amoxicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline and nitrofuran derivatives in forms for internal use remained.
“The decision to dispense most injectable medications by prescription is due to the increasing incidence of serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock,” explained Natalya Malashko. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics, used for acute conditions, remained on the list of over-the-counter drugs,” writes
The Department of Pharmaceutical Inspection and Organization of Drug Supply of the Ministry of Health has prepared a draft of a new edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription. The head of the department, Natalya Malashko, told the Medical Bulletin publication about this, BELTA reports.
The previous edition of the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription was approved by Ministry of Health Resolution No. 55 dated June 5, 2012. The new project was developed taking into account proposals from the Main Directorate for the Organization of Medical Care, Expertise, and appeals from citizens and legal entities of the Ministry of Health.
“One of the significant changes is the abolition of the norms for the dispensing of medicines, which were introduced in 2012: no more than 50 doses of tablets, dragees, capsules, lozenges, granules, powders or no more than one package containing more than 50 doses, and no more than two packages other dosage forms,” noted Natalya Malashko. “Dispensing standards have been preserved only for certain drugs: alcohol- and phenobarbital-containing drugs (Corvalol, tincture of hawthorn, valerian, etc.), levonorgestrel, mifepristone, potassium permanganate.”
The list has been updated taking into account the presence or absence of registration of medicines from June 2012 to the present. The specific names of all homeopathic drugs have been removed, since over-the-counter dispensing procedures have been determined for them, with the exception of injectable dosage forms.
Medicines are included in the list under international nonproprietary names (INN), if available, indicating dosage forms (tablets, capsules, dragees, powder, etc.). If a drug does not have an INN (for example, for individual combination drugs or herbal origin), then they are included in the list under trade names.
Thus, the approach to the procedure for selling medicines with the same INN, but with different trade names, is unified, added Natalya Malashko. In this case, all trade names will be sold without a prescription, which will create equal conditions for market access for manufacturers and provide the opportunity to choose drugs for patients.
In the new edition, the list of medicines sold without a doctor’s prescription excludes, in particular, most injectable medicines (including Alflutop, Actovegin, Solcoseryl, Lidocaine, antibacterial drugs), glucocorticosteroids for inhalation applications, since they have a systemic effect and are not intended for use without a doctor’s recommendation, are dispensed from pharmacies on preferential prescriptions. This also applies to drugs such as clindamycin (in forms for vaginal use), metformin and some drugs that affect the cardiovascular system: propafenone, hydrochlorothiazide in combination with triamterene, spironolactone, torasemide and the beta-blocker atenolol in combination with a diuretic and blocker calcium channels due to serious adverse reactions that occur in some cases when used independently. Some imported eye drops, which are a combination of an antibacterial component with glucocorticosteroids and have no domestic analogues, are excluded from the list.
The group of antibacterial drugs has been significantly reduced. Among the antibiotics on the list of drugs sold without a doctor's prescription, amoxicillin, ampicillin, doxycycline and nitrofuran derivatives in forms for internal use remained.
“The decision to dispense most injectable drugs by prescription is due to the increasing incidence of serious adverse reactions, including anaphylactic shock,” explained Natalya Malashko. “Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics, used for acute conditions, remained on the list of over-the-counter drugs.”