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AESGP Annual Meeting: OTC Antifungals, Antivirals Could Become Rx In EU

 
• By David Ridley

The European Commission shocked participants at this year's AESGP Annual Meeting by warning that OTC antifungals, like treatments for athlete’s foot, and OTC antivirals, like cold sore creams, could soon become prescription-only within the region, under proposed revisions to the EU pharma legislation. There is hope, however. The proposals are still open to feedback from industry, the AESGP points out, and even if this proposal becomes law, member states can waive this prescription requirement under certain conditions.

• Source: Shutterstock

OTC antifungals, like treatments for athlete’s foot, and OTC antivirals like cold sore creams could soon become prescription-only within the European Union, according to the European Commission.

New “prudent use” rules proposed by the Commission as part of its reforms to EU pharmaceutical legislation include placing OTC antimicrobials under prescription status within the region, revealed the EC's Olga Solomon at the AESGP's Annual Meeting in Paris, France on 23 May. To tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the Commission has come up with a set of targets for reducing overall antimicrobial consumption by 20%

More from Europe

EU Parliament Calls For Review Of Wastewater Directive’s Impact On Pharma Sector

 
• By David Ridley

At a recent plenary session the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on the European Commission to “conduct a new and comprehensive assessment” of the impact of the revised Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive on the pharmaceutical sector.

Supplementation Unlikely To Help With Hereditary Hair Loss, Says German Agency

 
• By David Ridley

Germany’s Federal Institute for Risk Assessment says that there is "no evidence that people with androgenetic alopecia have special dietary needs or a special nutrient requirement.”

US Tariffs Pose ‘Existential Threat’ To EU Medical Devices Industry

 
• By David Ridley

AESGP, MedTech Europe and other associations representing medtech companies including manufacturers of self-care devices call for such products to be included in European Commission proposals for “zero-for-zero” trade in industrial goods between Europe and the US.

OTCs Are ‘Beacon Of Hope’ For Austrian Pharmacy

 
• By David Ridley

Just under half of Austrian pharmacists surveyed by Elpato Medien are “convinced that the OTC business will ensure the survival of their pharmacy.”

More from Geography

OTCs Are ‘Beacon Of Hope’ For Austrian Pharmacy

 
• By David Ridley

Just under half of Austrian pharmacists surveyed by Elpato Medien are “convinced that the OTC business will ensure the survival of their pharmacy.”

Melatonin And Buccal Acyclovir On German Switch Committee Agenda

 
• By David Ridley

An application for melatonin as an OTC medicine is on the agenda for the next German switch committee meeting, despite the hormone being widely available in food supplements. Acyclovir as a buccal tablet and second-generation antihistamine rupatadine are also up for discussion.

Over The Counter: Brands, Brexit And New Self-Care Business Models, With PAGB’s Michelle Riddalls

 
• By David Ridley

HBW Insight catches up with UK OTC industry association CEO Michelle Riddalls to talk about digital self-care and the unrealized promise of Brexit - part 2.