What Medicine To Buy Over The Counter
General Sales List
There are two categories of medicine you can buy. The first falls into what’s called the General sales List (GSL). These are as the name suggests having no exclusions in where they are sold, such as a supermarket or a local convenience store. There are restrictions on quantities and in some cases strength.
Pharmacy Only Medicines
Then there are Pharmacy only medicines (P), which mean there will always be a more controlled selling environment. The staff are trained to ask a series of questions, which will identify how suitable the medicine is. Then if there is any uncertainty the Pharmacist can intervene and use his professional judgement to identify the best over the counter medicine for the patient.
Topical or Internal
Certain ailments may have a choice of preparations to buy. For example, painful and or swollen joints where there are tablets or capsule which work through the whole body system, here the potential for side effects need to be considered, or a topical application such as a cream or gel. Topicals get absorbed where its needed and start to work fairly quickly. Although there will be some systematic absorption so you still need to be sure it’s still a suitable choice. If the treatment is long term then the patient will be referred back to the health care professional.
Its probably not a good idea to self-diagnose and use your treatment of choice for longer than a week or so without some clinical input.
If you take other prescribed medicine and want to start something new then its better to go along to your local pharmacy and have a chat with the pharmacist before you start, even if its to use a GSL medicine.
Over the counter medicines (OTC) vary in sales volume depending on what time of year it is. As I write this post we’re heading into winter and that means coughs, colds, sore throats and flu. Viruses tend to be the dominant pathogen for this winters ailments.
Winter Over the Counter Medicine
The mainstay of OTC treatment is a simple analgesic/antipyretic, for aches pains and temperature. Nasal spray to reduce inflammation in the nasal membranes and free up your blocked nose. An antihistamine to dry up secretions like a runny nose. And finally a throat spray or lozenge with ant-inflammatory effects to soothe your sore throat and make it easier to swallow, this will help with any coughing as well.
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