This Order further amends the Medicines (Products Other Than Veterinary Drugs) (Prescription Only) Order 1983 (the POM Order) which specifies descriptions and classes of prescription only medicines subject to section 58(2) of the Medicines Act 1968, that is to say, medicinal products which (subject to exemptions) may be sold or supplied by retail only in accordance with a prescription given by an appropriate practitioner and which may be administered only by or in accordance with the direction of such a practitioner.

The Order also further amends the Medicines (Pharmacy and General Sale—Exemption) Order 1980 (the Pharmacy and General Sale Exemption Order) which specifies exemptions from the general requirements as to retail sale or supply set out in sections 52 and 53 of the Medicines Act 1968.

The amendments made by this Order are as follows:–

• Articles 2 and 6(b) and (c) and Schedule 2 amend the POM Order to provide an exemption from the provisions of section 58(2) in respect of qualified first-aid personnel on “offshore installations” (such as oil rigs). Articles 7 and 8(b) and Schedule 3 make comparable exemptions for such persons from the provisions of sections 52 and 53.

• Article 3 amends article 4 of the POM Order which specifies exemptions from the provisions of section 58(2) so as to exempt certain products containing the substance mebendazole from being prescription only medicines.

• Article 4 amends Part I of Schedule I to the POM Order which lists substances which render medicinal products prescription only medicines except in circumstances also listed.

• Article 5 deletes entries from Part IV of the POM Order which lists the name and product licence number of medicinal products that are not prescription only medicines.

• Article 6(a) amends the list of prescription only medicines in Part I of Schedule 3 to the POM Order which a person lawfully conducting a retail pharmacy business may sell or supply to the order of a registered ophthalmic optician. Article 8(a) makes a comparable amendment to the Pharmacy and General Sale Exemption Order to the list of medicinal products which a registered ophthalmic optician may sell or supply on his own behalf.