Chlamydia drug to be sold on demand

A drug to treat chlamydia, the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI), is to be made available without prescription for the first time.

Men and women aged 16 and over will be able to buy the antibiotic if they have tested positive for the infection and have no symptoms. Their partners will also be able to get the drug, which will be called Clamelle. It should be on pharmacy shelves later this year.

According to the FPA (formerly the Family Planning Association), more and more men and women are being tested for chlamydia at their pharmacy. Some are given the test by the pharmacist to do at home.

They will now be able to go back to their pharmacy to get the antibiotic without the need for a prescription from their GP.

Young people account for two-thirds of all new cases of chlamydia, known as the "silent infection", as sufferers often have no symptoms. However, if left untreated it can cause infertility.

Approval for the sale of Clamelle was given by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Dr June Raine, director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the MHRA, said: "Today's move means that symptom-free people diagnosed with chlamydia and their partner will be able to get convenient effective treatment from their local pharmacy.

"The MHRA is keen to support the availability of more medicines over the counter, where it is safe to do so, and we wish to move on to new areas such as prevention and chronic disease management. We know many pharmacists are ready for this too."

Natika Halil, director of information at the FPA, said: "For people who are already testing themselves at home, it is a really positive step forward."