Glossary term
Prescription-only medicine: A prescription-only medicine is a medicine that legally requires prescription and professional oversight rather than ordinary retail sale.
Why this term matters
Patients need this to distinguish prescribed medicines from shop products.
UK medical cannabis context
Sativex is licensed in the UK as a prescription-only medicine.
What not to assume
Prescription-only status does not remove side effects or special legal handling.
Careful wording: Avoid blurring POM status with wellness-product language.
Related glossary terms
Related MCPH pages
Sources and review notes
This entry is educational vocabulary, not medical advice. Suitability, prescribing, product choice and monitoring belong with a qualified clinician or pharmacist.