OTC medicines

We’re here to share our expert knowledge and support to help you decipher the complex legal requirements for OTC medicines. In this hub, you can find our formal codes of practice and supplementary guidance documents, as well as a summary of MHRA regulatory guidance. You can also check our services and latest training for members on OTC medicines.

Unopened pill packs

PAGB codes for OTC medicines

Advertising Consumer Code for Medicines
Advertising Professional Code for Medicines
Packaging Code for Medicines

Regulatory intelligence for OTC medicines

PAGB members can access detailed regulatory intelligence on OTC medicines when logged in.

Learn more

Advice and guidance

Filter by category

cloth-5101254_1280

PAGB’s summary of MHRA’s post-Brexit guidance for medicines

PAGB regulatory review of MHRA guidance on regulating medicines from 1 January 2021, updated June 2024
PAGB regulatory review of MHRA guidance on regulating medicines from 1 January 2021 (tracked), updated June 2024
Regulatory questions and answers on EU exit guidance – medicines

About the PAGB process

Advertising services

The dedicated advertising team at PAGB is staffed by specialists skilled in providing fast and confidential advice on advertising compliance.

Learn more

Copy clearance top tips

Find out the advertising team’s top tips for ensuring copy is assessed and approved as efficiently as possible.

Learn more

Copy resubmission

Did you know there are changes you can make to advertising copy without needing to submit to PAGB for approval?

Learn more

Advertising toolkit guidance

The toolkit system has been created to enable members to self-approve copy based on toolkits of approved core claims.

Learn more

Advertising complaint procedure

This document explains the procedure for making complaint about promotional materials for products within PAGB membership, where another PAGB member is in control of the content.

Learn more

External complaints

This guidance explains the processes for reporting non-compliant advertising materials created by non-member companies.

Learn more

Pack design pre-vetting service

We offer pre-vetting of changes to pack design and layout for over-the-counter medicines as part of MHRA’s P3 expedited (P3Ex) assessment procedure.

Learn more

Upcoming training and events

View all