Curr Genet
The GPhC has also written directly to pharmacists, pharmacy technicians and pharmacy owners on the issue of unlicensed, unregulated products warning that where products are not licensed by the MHRA, they are not required to meet good manufacturing practice, including safety, quality and efficacy standards. The letter advises that if pharmacy owners choose to stock such products, it is their responsibility to make sure that they have sought assurances from the supplier and/or completed their own due diligence that the product(s) they provide are safe for patients and the public. On a practical level, Hollie Greenall, a pharmacist and member of The Pharmacist s editorial board, placed emphasis on patient education: It is important to provide education around the lack of regulation and the fact that these products are not subject to the same safety, quality, and efficacy standards as prescribed medicines. She added that exploring a patients reasons for wanting to use them may highlight unmet needs where safer, evidence-based alternatives or additional support can be offered. Dr Micklewright added: Healthcare providers are in a very difficult position if they are asked to help patients who have injected unknown, unlicensed peptides. Without enough data about their effects, their harms or national guidelines on how to reverse their effects, there is not much more providers can do but to educate their patients and manage any adverse events if and when they arise. Prof Guirguis from RPS said: Pharmacists play an important role in helping people understand the difference between licensed medicines and substances sold outside medicines regulation
[DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 342.Storbeck K.-H., Gilligan L., Jenkinson C., Baranowski E.S., Quanson J.L., Arlt W., Taylor A.E
The amphetamine-induced sensitized state as a model of schizophrenia
