Prescription-Only Medicine (POM)
A medication requiring a valid prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. In the UK, POM is one of three legal categories alongside pharmacy medicines (P) and general sales list (GSL). Most approved peptide drugs are prescription-only due to their complexity and need for medical supervision.
Technical Context
UK POM classification criteria (Human Medicines Regulations 2012): the medicine presents a direct or indirect danger to health if used without medical supervision, is frequently used incorrectly (which could present a danger to health), contains substances requiring further investigation, or is normally prescribed by a practitioner for parenteral administration. The three UK legal categories are: POM (requires prescription — most peptide drugs), P (pharmacy-only, available from a pharmacist without prescription), and GSL (general sales list, available from any retail outlet). Prescribers authorised for POMs include doctors, dentists, nurse prescribers (independent or supplementary), and pharmacist prescribers. Electronic prescribing and remote consultations have expanded POM access pathways.