Public consultation (ARM 66): Request to extended maximum treatment period and make pack size changes to Voltarol Emulgel P

Consultation ARM 66 sought your views on the reclassification from Prescription Only Medicine (POM) to Pharmacy (P) of Diclofenac Diethylammonium 1% w/w (Voltarol Emulgel P) which extends the maximum treatment period and increases the maximum pack size beyond the restrictions currently imposed. The reclassification proposed and increase in maximum duration from seven to 14 days and an increased maximum in the maximum pack size from 50 g to 100 g.

A total of seven responses to the consultation were received, of which four were in favour, one raised issues and two declared no comment.

Extending the current maximum treatment duration to 14 days and increasing the maximum pack size to 100 g supports self-care. Pharmacists are accustomed to dealing with patients who require symptomatic relief from the pain and inflammation of a range of muscle and joint conditions.

The following table broadly indicates how pharmaceutical bodies, medical bodies, industry and others responded to the consultation.

Professional pharmaceutical societies, individual pharmacists and other pharmaceutical bodies
Yes to proposal Community pharmacist (55Kb) Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (143Kb)
No comment Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (30Kb)

Medical profession and royal colleges
Yes to proposal British Medical Association (51Kb)
No comment British Association of Dermatologists (40Kb)

Others
Yes to proposal General public (33Kb)
Issues raised Essential Nutrition Ltd (31Kb)