Thérèse Coffey, the health secretary for England, has admitted to giving her leftover antibiotics to friends and family who were feeling unwell. This led to the British Medical Association issuing a statement, describing her actions as “not only potentially dangerous, but also against the law”.
In the UK, medicines fall into three groups that determine how people can access them. “General sales list” medicines, such as small packets of some painkillers or simple cough mixtures, can be bought over the counter in supermarkets and other shops.
“Pharmacy medicines”, such as travel sickness tablets or stronger painkillers, are sold in pharmacies when supervised by a pharmacist. And “prescription-only medicines”, such as antidepressants and antibiotics. These drugs can only be prescribed by a doctor or other health professional with prescribing rights. Antibiotics are prescription-only medicines.
