A brief summary of reclassifications that have been approved in the past 12 months is given below.
Please see the relevant entry in List C (consolidated list of substances present in authorised products which have been reclassified since 1 April 2002) for full details.
Updated August 2011
POM to P (Prescription Only Medicine to Pharmacy)
- Diclofenac potassium: the maximum strength of diclofenac potassium tablets available without prescription has been increased from 12.5mg to 25mg
- Diclofenac sodium: medicated plasters, containing 140mg diclofenac sodium, may be supplied without a prescription for the local symptomatic treatment of pain in acute strains, sprains or bruises of the extremities in adults and in children from aged 15 years.
P to GSL (Pharmacy to General Sale List)
- Salicylic acid: salicylic acid 26% may be supplied on general sale for the topical treatment of warts and verrucas in adults and children over two years
- Ibuprofen: the maximum pack size of topical ibuprofen available on general sale has been increased from 4g to 5g
- Minoxidil: the maximum strength of minoxidil for external use available on general sale for the treatment of alopecia androgenetica in men aged 18 to 65 (but not in women) has been increased from 2% to 5%, and the maximum pack size has been increased from 1.2g minoxidil to 3g minoxidil.
Contact for further information
For further information, please contact our Reclassification Unit:
3-O, 151 Buckingham Palace Road, London SW1W 9SZ
email reclassification@mhra.gsi.gov.uk
