Mary Hawking queries:
> I hadn't heard of this - *why* should a low dose become POM, when the
>*higher* strength isn't? *Who* is responsible for this?

It probably relates to the labelling and intended usage.
We had the same "difficult" decision here in NZ two or three years ago when
Reckitts requested an OTC classification for Cardiprin (100 mg ASA). The
packaging stated that it was a platelet aggregation inhibitor and some of
our Medicines Classification Cttee (which I was on for 6 years) thought it
was inappropriate to go OTC through supermarkets (which 300 mgm Disprin/ASA
is at present). But I disagreed with that view and as we (New Zealand in
general) were/was in deregulation mode/mood at the time (deregulate anything
and everything) it was decided, in consideration of the extremely small risk
of GI bleeding, that with appropriate package insert that it would be OK
available in supermarkets.
Beats paying 20% more at the pharmacy I would have thought.
I chased a high risk patient out the door (well, metaphorically) the other
day to advise
him that he should really start aspirin as well as his other medications. He
replied with a chuckle that he had already been taking it for several
years... "didn't I tell you doc ?"

JW

Dr Jon Wilcox
General Medicine, Paediatrics and Obstetrics,
Glenfield Medical Centre,
452 Glenfield Road,
Auckland 1310, New Zealand
Phone or Fax +649-444-7656
e-mail   [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Mary Hawking <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, 2 September 1998 18:08
Subject: Re: Utilising EBM


>In message <000101bdd60a$0f45eda0$0f557ec2@-jeff>, Jeff Green
><[log in to unmask]> writes
>
>>Think yourself lucky, from September 16th Aspirin 75mg is effectively POM.
I
>>will then to refer all those who where trying to live longer and not
bother
>>their doctor back to you.
>
>I hadn't heard of this - *why* should a low dose become POM, when the
>*higher* strength isn't? *Who* is responsible for this?
>
>Jeff, do us all a favour? Just suggest that those customers taking 75mg
>tabs could take a quarter or a half  300mg tab? ;->>
>
>Mary
>
>Mary Hawking Kingsbury Court Surgery Church Street Dunstable LU5 4RS
>tel:01582 663218 (surgery)fax:01582 476488 (surgery)
>Member of British Healthcare Internet Association
>Dunstable and Houghton Regis Locality Commisssioning Pilot
>



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