The PDA is reiterating its safety-first stance on the facilitated self-selection of P medicines, a model that allows members of the public, whether a patient themselves or someone purchasing for another person, to select certain higher-risk medicines from open display without any involvement from a registered pharmacist.
While some pharmacies prevent patients from accessing P medicines without first discussing its suitability, other concepts where P medicines are on open display and can be browsed by patients mean that the discussion takes place once the person has the medicine in their hands and attempts to purchase it at the counter.
The PDA argues this concept undermines clinical safeguards and is dangerously misnamed, as in reality it is not always the selection that is “facilitated,” but merely the purchase.
This contrasts significantly with the long-standing practice model, where such higher-risk medicines are not on open display and are only accessible after a pharmacist has confirmed it is safe and appropriate for the patient concerned.
A PDA snapshot survey was conducted following a U-turn by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS). It announced in July that it is now “supportive of the adoption of models that enable the facilitated self-selection of Pharmacy (P) medicines, where a community pharmacy chooses to implement such models”, having previously been against such proposals.
Key findings from the latest PDA survey
- 94% of respondents oppose facilitated self-selection
- 98% are concerned about inappropriate medicine selection
- 92% worry about reduced pharmacist oversight
- 80% cite risks of theft or misuse
- 77% highlight commercial pressure concerns
The survey results, most of which came from experienced community pharmacists, found that while 79% were familiar with the concept, many felt it undermined the pharmacist’s role in ensuring safe and appropriate medicine use.
Clinical oversight matters
Over half (54%) of respondents said the sale of P medicines is always a clinical interaction, with 58% also stating that only pharmacists should make the final decision on such sales.
Widespread concern
- 79% are very concerned about risks to patient safety
- 73% are very concerned about pharmacist safety, citing increased potential for conflict
- 81% believe proposed supervision changes could compromise safe supply
- 95% say any changes must follow full consultation with the profession
- 43% of responses were from members of the RPS
- 82% of RPS members responding to the survey do not support allowing P medicines to be available for self-selection
Safety first
Respondents called for strong safeguards if any changes are introduced, including:
- Mandatory training for staff
- Clear escalation protocols
- Pharmacist oversight
- Restrictions to low-risk medicines
- Regular audits.
These findings highlight the profession’s strong desire to protect patient safety and maintain the integrity of pharmacist-led care, and that more thought and consultation is needed before significant changes in practice are allowed to be introduced.
The PDA’s report Beyond Convenience published in February 2025 highlighted the need to retain patient safety and professional oversight and autonomy when considering changes to P medicines arrangements.
In its July position statement, the RPS said that it was conducting a literature review and issued a call for evidence which concluded in September 2024. The literature review is pre-print and under peer review – meaning that “it reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.” However, the paper concludes that “Although this review identified risks and benefits associated with medication self-selection more broadly, none of the included publications solely discussed PMEDs. More research is needed to fully understand the risks and benefits of the self-selection model for this classification of medicines.”
The PDA urges the RPS to reconsider its position, and to engage in transparent, profession-wide consultation built on robust evidence and an impact risk assessment. This is based on the persuasive feedback from RPS members and others, noting that the RPS literature review is not currently evaluated. However, it calls for more research to fully understand the risks and benefits of the self-selection model.
The PDA will continue to champion the voice of pharmacists on key issues, such as the facilitated self-selection of P medicines, to ensure the pharmacist’s role in patient safety and care is safeguarded.
Learn more
- PDA launches case against the liberalisation of P medicine sales
- P medicines for self-selection, are you concerned?
- PDA challenges RPS on its ‘open display of P medicines’ policy review
- P meds on self-selection. GPhC decision must be challenged
- Self-selection of P medicines – not in the public interest!
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