Concern about OTC Drugs being approved
Written by JDPGlobal | Wednesday, 06 July 2005
An over-the-counter, (OTC) sale of an antibiotic to treat bacterial conjunctivitis has been approved by the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, (MHRA).
The pharmacist can now legally sell chloramphenicol eye drops without a prescription. The decision followed a consultation with health professionals whom came to the decision that the medication enabled the chances of a speedy recovery without consulting a doctor. Estimates also confirm that up to two percent of primary care consultations are for bacterial conjunctivitis.
Experts re-enforced their case by saying that chloramphenicol had been safely and effectively used for more than fifty years. 'It will help to speed up their recovery, lower the risk of spreading infections, of infection returning or of further complications developing', said a spokesperson for the medical group. Opposition claimed that wide-scale availability would increase resistance to the antibiotic that is also used in the treatment of life-threatening illnesses such as typhoid. Also, antibiotic resistance has been increasing rates of super bugs in hospitals, including MRSA. The possibility of an increased resistance was ruled out by the MHRA but the group did promise to monitor its progress.
