Rockville: The FDA will assemble a public trial by next month to think about formalizing a dispensing group, which would make drugs available without a prescription, but only after conferring with a druggist.

Now, the new class ‘behind-the-counter’ is used for the emergency birth control Plan B and cold remedies, which have pseudoephedrine. The FDA necessitates that those medicinal drugs should be kept at the back of the pharmacy counter and sales are limited to those who show photo identification.

In a background report the group stated that various nations, comprising England, Canada, and Germany, are already making use of versions of behind-the-counter dispensing.

The FDA wrote, “Some groups have asserted that pharmacist interaction with the consumer could ensure safe and effective use of a drug product that otherwise might require a prescription. Because pharmacists have the training and knowledge to provide certain interventions, they may be able to ensure that patients meet the conditions for use and educate patients on appropriate use of the drug product.”

The FDA has stated that the public hearing will address different topics ranging from whether the group should set up the fresh dispensing category and access issues to possible security fears and record-keeping.

The bureau is also looking for statement on behind-the-counter drugs reimbursement, a possible sticking point since insurance plans repay only for prescription drugs.