Enderley Road Medical CentreChanges to how the NHS prescribes ‘over the counter’ medicines for minor health conditions
In March 2018, NHS England published guidance about reducing the prescribing of medicines or treatments that are available to buy over the counter.
This means that certain medicines may no longer be prescribed if you can buy them ‘over the counter’.
Probiotics, and some vitamins and minerals will also no longer be routinely prescribed, because most people can and should get these from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet.
Why does the NHS want to reduce prescribing of these medicines?
The NHS has to make difficult choices about what it spends taxpayer money on and how much value the taxpayer is getting for that money. Medicines to treat these conditions are available to buy over the counter. Pharmacists can advise patients on self-care and also on which are the lowest cost versions of medicines available.
The financial situation in Harrow has been complex and of high concern for many years. By reducing the amount the NHS spends on treating these minor health conditions, the NHS can give priority to treatments for patients with more serious conditions such as cancer and mental health problems.
What are the benefits of going to the pharmacy instead of making an appointment to see your GP?
Pharmacists have the knowledge and skills to help with many healthcare conditions, and you don’t need an appointment to speak to a pharmacist. Visiting a pharmacist first helps to make more GP appointments available for people with more complex healthcare needs.
If you have something more serious, the pharmacist is trained to signpost you quickly to the right medical care.
What can you do?
By keeping certain useful medicines at home you can treat common conditions immediately and you won’t need to see a GP. The medicines you may want to keep at home could include:
- A painkiller to help treat minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever.
- Indigestion medicines, oral rehydration salts and treatments for constipation and diarrhoea.
- Treatments for seasonal conditions such as colds and hay fever.
- Sunblock and after sun.
- Some basic first aid items would also be useful.
If you have children make sure you also have products suitable for children.
Speak to your pharmacist for advice on what medicines to keep at home, where to store them safely and how to use your medicines.
Ensuring you have a well-balanced, healthy diet will mean most people don’t need to take vitamin supplements or probiotics. If you do wish to take these products to avoid you becoming deficient, you can buy them from a pharmacy, a supermarket or online.
Where can you find more information and support?
- You can speak to a pharmacist who can help with advice and treatments for the conditions listed.
- NHS choices has lots of information and advice on treating minor health problems with self-care www.nhs.uk
If you have any questions about the items which are no longer going to be prescribed, do not contact the surgery, please contact: by Email: bhhcomplaints@nhs.net or Tel: 020 8966 1106 or In Writing: The Heights, 3rd Floor, 59-65 Lowlands Road, Harrow, HA1 3AW
What conditions are included in this change?
Medicines available to buy over the counter will not be routinely prescribed for the following 35 conditions:
| Acute Sore Throat | Conjunctivitis | Coughs, colds and nasal congestion |
| Cradle Cap | Dandruff | Diarrhoea (adults) |
| Dry eyes/sore tired eyrs | Earwax | Excessive sweating |
| Haemorrhoids | Head lice | Indigestion and heartburn |
| Infant colic | Infrequent cold sores of the lip | Infrequent constipation |
| Infrequent migraine | Insect bites and stings | Mild acne |
| Minor burns and scalds | Mild cystitis | Mild dry skin |
| Mild irritant dermatitis | Mild to moderate hay fever | Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain) |
| Mouth ulcers | Nappy rash | Oral thrush |
| Prevention of tooth decay | Ringworm/athletes foot | Sunburn |
| Sun protection | Teething/mild toothache | Threadworms |
| Travel sickness | Warts and verracae |
Examples of medications/items included in this change
| Antacids | Lubricants for dry eyes | Prescribable sun creams |
| Anti-histamines | Gluten-free food | Steroid nasal sprays |
| Anti-fungals | Mouthwash | Travel sickness tablets |
| Bath additives | Painkillers | Vitamins and supplements |
| Creams/Emollients for dry skin | Prescribable shampoos | Wart and verruca treatments |