Will the Minister provide an explanation as to why the medicine Liothyronine is only available via prescription and not as an over the counter medication?
Answered by Minister for Health and Social Services | Answered on 16/07/2019
Liothyronine is a prescription only medicine. The legal classification of medicines in the UK is a matter for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), it is not devolved to the Welsh Ministers. The legal classification of a medicine determines whether or not it can be sold or supplied without a prescription. A number of factors are considered in determining the classification of a medicine, these include its safety profile and how much health professional input is needed to diagnose and treat the conditions for which the medicine might be used.