CHLAMYDIA TREATMENT IN PHARMACIES WILL DELIVER

CONVENIENT CARE FOR PATIENTS

The decision by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to

approve the reclassification of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection will mean

convenient and effective care for patients, said the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great

Britain (RPSGB). Azithromycin, currently licensed as a prescription-only medicine, is expected

to be available for sale from pharmacies without a prescription later this year.

Azithromycin is the first oral antibiotic to be approved for reclassification. It will be available for

people 16 years and over if they have tested positive for the infection through an approved

standard test and have no symptoms. It will also be available for their sexual partners.

Charles Flynn, Secretary of the Isle of Man Branch of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain,

said: "Local pharmacists do a tremendous professional job in advising about the provision of sexual health services.

These days it is more important than ever for people to be able to access prompt and confidential

advice when a problem occurs. Reclassifying azithromycin will expand on existing services and improve access

to chlamydia screening and treatment for patients.

"Chlamydia infection rates are increasing, particularly in those under 25 years of age. The

development of appropriate sexual health services for this group should result in higher rates

of detection of sexually transmitted infections and improved awareness of the importance of

practising safe sex."

p.s. Extra information:

Some people do not want to go to their doctor or the GUM clinic. In this case they will be able to buy a Chlamydia testing kit - Clamelle is the name of it - from the pharmacy and with a sample of urine obtain the result from a lab. The cost of this will be £25. Then if the the result for chlamydia is positive, and the pharmacist can confirm it from the suppliers computer data base, they can purchase Clamelle tablets from the pharmacy(not necessarily the same one) provided they are over 16 and the pharmacist is satisfied it is appropriate and safe for them, and take the single dose course for treatment. The cost of this is expected to be £20.

I hope that the DHSS will put some money into the service, so reducing this cost or even eliminationg it all together.