MHRA reclassifies oral azithromycin as OTC for Chlamydia
This article was originally published in Scrip
Executive Summary
Actavisis to make a generic antibiotic that can treat Chlamydia, azithromycin, available over the counter without a prescription at UK pharmacies later this year, the country's regulator the MHRAsays. It will be the first oral antibiotic to be approved for reclassification and will be marketed under the trade name Clamelle. The pill will be available to patients aged 16 years and over if they have tested positive to the infection and have no symptoms, and for their sexual partners. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britainwelcomed the news, pointing out that improving access to Chlamydia treatment would help curb increasing rates of infection, particularly in the under 25s.