UK's RPS publishes azithromycin guidance

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society, representing pharmacists in the UK, has published guidance for the profession following the reclassification of azithromycin 500mg from prescription-only to pharmacy medicine status.

The azithromycin guidance covers different routes of supply through pharmacy. It takes into account the requirements of the Code of Ethics and outlines important points to consider when counter prescribing. Supply is also considered in the context of any national policy differences relating to chlamydia services.

In August, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the reclassification of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection (Marketletter August 11). This is the first oral antibiotic to be approved for reclassification and is expected to be available for sale through pharmacies later this month. It is the first reclassification where an accredited laboratory test is required to confirm diagnosis before treatment is supplied.