licensed medicine
licensed medicine
A medicine sold in the UK which is divided into three broad categories:(1) Prescription-only medicine—an agent which requires a prescription from a doctor or other approved healthcare professional, and a pharmacist to be on the premises when the medication is dispensed.
(2) Pharmacy-only medicine—an agent which causes interactions about which the pharmacist should ask enough questions of the patient to be comfortable that the patient knows the potential problems.
(3) General sales list medicine—an agent which is generally regarded as safe enough that it would take true intention to cause harm (e.g., paracetamol is a GSL medication and is a popular agent for suicide).
Over the counter (OTC) is not a legal category of medicines in the UK, but is used as a generic term that covers both GSL and Pharmacy-only medicines, which are available for sale from Registered Pharmacies. Controlled Drugs—e.g., cocaine, heroin, amphetamines—are governed by the Misuse of Drugs Act 1973.