Patient Group Directions

Patient Group Directions (PGDs) are documents (in the English National Health Service) permitting the supply of prescription-only medicines (POMs) to groups of patients, without individual prescriptions.^[1][2]

Additional recommended knowledge

What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?

Daily Visual Balance Check

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

PGDs have been used to make certain POMs available to the public, under certain circumstances. These drugs include Orlistat (as Xenical) for weight loss in cases of Obesity^[3], Finasteride (as Propecia) for restoration of hair in Male-pattern baldness^[3], Sildenafil (as Viagra) ^[4] for Erectile dysfunction and Levonorgestrel as Emergency Hormonal Contraception^[5]. The supply of Levonelle is different, however, in that it is not a POM, but can be used to provide the drug free of charge.

References

1. ^ Patient group directions (PGDs).
2. ^ Patient group directions resource pack for pharmacists (RPSGB).
3. ^ ^{a b} [ http://www.boots.com/microsites/microsite_info_template.jsp?contentId=4846 Boots the Chemist Pharmacy Services.]
4. ^ Boots launches private PGD service to supply Viagra (PJ online).
5. ^ [ http://www.ffprhc.org.uk/admin/uploads/PGDLevonelle1500.pdf Levonelle (Royal College of Nursing).]