Calcipotriol (Daivonex) is now a Pharmacist Only Medicine

Calcipotriol (Daivonex) is a prescription medicine, except in medicines containing not more than 50mcg/g or ml and when sold in a pack of not more than 30 gram or ml by a pharmacist to an adult with mild to moderate psoriasis previously diagnosed by a doctor.  This is not the same as a pharmacist-only classification, but the effect is similar – it can be sold by a pharmacist.

Protocol for Sale of Pharmacist Only Medicines

As per PSNZ’s Pharmacy Practice Handbook

3.2.15  Pharmacist Only Medicines (Restricted Medicines) New Zealand pharmacists have a unique professional opportunity to fulfil their roles as the ‘gatekeepers’ of non-prescription medicines (complementing their accepted role with prescription medicines) by providing the public with a particular group of medicines known as Pharmacist Only Medicines, or Restricted Medicines.  Pharmacist Only Medicine is the preferred term to use.

Restrictions on sale of codeine-containing meds

Restrictions on the Sale of Codeine-Containing Medicines

Further to the warning-of-change notice sent to you in June, the medicine classification of codeine-containing combination medicines changed today (4 October 2010).  Products for the relief of pain such as Panadeine and Nurofen Plus are now pharmacist-only medicines, and then only in approved small pack sizes.  Large pack sizes and repacks are now prescription medicines.

Up to Date – List of Pharmacist Only Medicine

COMMONLY USED PHARMACIST ONLY MEDICINES

(Restricted Medicines)

 

October  2010

 

Information on the role of pharmacists and Tamiflu in the current influenza outbreakInformation on the role of pharmacists and Tamiflu in the current influenza outbreak

Pharmacists and Influenza Update from PSNZ

26 June 2009 – Updated 14 September 2010

Reflecting the wide community transmission of the flu, most areas in New Zealand have moved from a “containment approach”, to “managing” the epidemic.  This means treating this new flu like the usual seasonal flu.

Chloramphenicol consumer leaflet

To assist pharmacists convey to patients appropriate information in the use of chloramphenicol, the Pharmaceutical Society provided to each pharmacy a pad of 50 Self Care-style eye care and conjunctivitis tear-off leaflets.  It is important that a leaflet is given to each purchaser.

Chloramphenicol ocular is now a Pharmacist-Only medicine – with important conditions

Chloramphenicol eye preparations can now be sold by pharmacists without prescription, subject to some important conditions.  This reclassification is unique in that no pharmaceutical company initiated or actively supported the classification change.  Nor is there any promotion of the product planned now that it can be sold by pharmacists.  The Pharmaceutical Society stepped in and has, with the assistance of pharmacists on MCC, worked hard over the past three years to achieve the re-classification.

Glyceryl Trinitrate for Rectal Use Now Pharmacist-Only

Glyceryl trinitrate for rectal use (Rectogesic) in the treatment of anal fissure and to relieve pain and discomfort associated with haemorrhoids, has from 19 March 2009 been reclassified from pharmacy to pharmacist-only medicine.  The reason is because of concerns relating to its use with sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra) where, although the risk of an adverse event is low, the consequences are serious.