GSL Medicines Flashcards

Flashcards on General Sale Medicines (GSL) based on lecture notes.

What is the basic principle of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 regarding the sale of medicinal products?

Medicinal products may be sold, or supplied in circumstances corresponding to retail sale, only from registered pharmacies unless they are products classified as general sale.

What are the three legal classes of medicinal products in the UK?

General Sale Medicines (GSL), Pharmacy Medicines (P), and Prescription-Only Medicines (POM).

What are 'PO' medicines?

These are legally GSL medicines but their sale is restricted to pharmacies by the manufacturer.

What does 'over the counter (OTC)' mean in the context of medicines?

Medicines available for purchase without a prescription, including GSL and P medicines.

How do medicines switch classes, and what is the usual move?

The MHRA can re-classify medicines, often moving from POM to P to GSL to widen patient access and utilize pharmacist expertise.

What are the benefits of declassifying medicines according to the government?

Greater access to medicines, increased use of pharmacists’ expertise, and cost savings for the NHS through self-care.

How is a GSL medicine defined in the HMR 2012?

A product that is not a POM or P and is covered by a marketing authorization to be available on general sale.

What conditions must be fulfilled for a GSL medicine to be lawfully sold outside a registered pharmacy?

The premises can be closed to exclude the public, the product must have been made up for sale in a sealed container elsewhere.

Where else is the sale of GSL medicines permitted?

Aircraft and trains, provided the operator can close off the storage area to exclude the public.

What types of products are typically not classified as GSL medicines?

Products containing high doses of vitamin A or D, eye ointments, anthelmintics, enemas, and certain products for irrigation or use in children, unless classified as GSL.

True or False: GSL medicines may be sold from a supermarket which does not have a pharmacy on the premises

False - It must be able to be closed to the public.

True or False: GSL medicines can be sold from an automatic vending machine located in a pub

False - It must be in a premise that is able to be closed to exclude the public

True or False: GSL medicines can be sold from a stall at an open-air pop festival

False - It must be in a premise that is able to be closed to exclude the public

True or False: Water for injection is classified as a GSL medicine, because water is not a medicinal product

False - Water for Injection is classified as a Prescription Only Medicine (POM)

True or False: A medicine for treating threadworms will never be classified as GSL

False - Unless the marketing authorisation classifies them as GSL

True or False: GSL medicines may be sold from a car boot in a car boot sale

False - It must be in a premise that is able to be closed to exclude the public

True or False: GSL medicines may be sold from a mobile pharmacy van that attends public entertainment events

False - It must be in a premise that is able to be closed to exclude the public

True or False: The definition of a GSL medicine is a medicine that can be sold safely from non-pharmacy premises

True - The definition of a GSL medicine is a medicine that can be sold safely from non-pharmacy premises

True or False: It is rare for medicines to move from GSL to P to POM

True - It is rare for medicines to move from GSL to P to POM

True or False: GSL medicines can be sold like any other commodity because they are safe

False - GSL medicines can be sold like any other commodity because they are safe