Categories of Medication
The Medicines Act 1968 defines 3 legal categories of medicines
General Sale List Medications (GSL) These can be sold in by a wide range of shops, often a small pack size or low strength of the medicine may be sold.
Pharmacy Medicines (P)
Only pharmacies may sell these medicines and a pharmacist must make or supervise the sale.
Prescription – only Medicines (POM)
You cannot get these medicines without a prescription, usually from your GP.
Complementary and alternative therapies
These products are classified as borderline medical products, such as food supplements, herbal products and cosmetics. These are not regulated the same way as the other medicines.
