Non prescription medicines

RumanaB

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone knows a website which has a list of non prescription medicines? Whenever the doctor prescribes me anything, he fails to mention that I can get it without prescription which means I end up paying more than I need to. Thanks.

Nile

If you ask the pharmacist when you hand over your prescription for dispensing, he/she will tell you if you can buy any of the medicines over the counter and whether they will be cheaper than the prescription charge.:cool:

I've often found that a pharmacist will do this without even being asked.:A

RumanaB

Thanks. But I was kind of hoping I would be able to check it online. The chemist I go to never tell me that I can buy the medicine without prescription...they always make out that it's cheaper to buy prescription! But when I go to Boots chemist, they are brilliant and always point out if I can get the items for cheaper.

Nile

Fair enough.

If you want to check if diazepam can be bought over the counter (it can't because it's a POM) for example and check whether it may be cheaper than the prescription charge.............here is a link to the MIMS website:

http://www.mims.co.uk/Drugs/anaesthetics-muscle-relaxants-and-premeds/premedication/diazepam/

Regards

Nile

RumanaB

Actually I wanted to check something called Lansoprazole tablets. I spoke to a doctor earlier and he said I should try this but he is going to send the prescription to my GP. If it's non prescription I can pick it up tomorrow. But if not, I'll have to wait till Monday because the doctor's surgery is closed tomorrow.

Nile

It's a POM:

http://www.mims.co.uk/Drugs/gastrointestinal-tract/peptic-ulcer-z-e-syndrome/lansoprazole/

RumanaB

Yeah I saw that but it doesn't actually say whether it can be brought without prescription or not.

wishiwasarichgirl

POM means it needs a prescription to be purchased

RumanaB

Ohhh.....:rotfl:Sorry I didn't realise. Thanks for your help. I'm not very familiar with these terms they use.

Nile

Doh!:D I assumed you knew that POM means Prescription Only Medicine.;)

moneysaving_pharmacist

MIMS is not fully accurate - the best place to check is at http://www.rpsgb.org/worldofpharmacy/useofmedicines/searchlegalclassificationofmedicines.html

Compare http://www.mims.co.uk/Drugs/gastrointestinal-tract/peptic-ulcer-z-e-syndrome/omeprazole/?DCMP=ILC-SEARCH and http://www.rpsgblist.org/medsearch.asp?medname=omeprazole&class=&action=Search to see the difference.

Or you can ask a pharmacist who can tell you that although lansoprazole is a POM, omeprazole is very similar and is a P med.