The drug companies’ drive to put the first prescription-only antibiotic onto supermarket shelves has been halted by the UK government. The UK’s Department of Health is concerned that uncontrolled access to antibiotics could quickly lead to antibiotic resistance, and increase the possibility of ‘superbugs’ that can’t be knocked out by drugs. The decision is a blow to the pharmaceutical industry which has been pushing to put more prescription drugs onto the OTC (over-the-counter) market, where people can buy them freely without needing a prescription. Two drug companies – Goldshields and Actavis – were in the vanguard to have their antibiotics approved for the OTC market in a move that has courted controversy since it was first mooted in 2008. (Source: Pulse, April 1, 2010).
What do you think? Start a conversation over on the... WDDTY Community
