PILL BLOW
GP’s told to ‘cut back’ on prescribing common medicines – the 35 conditions affected
And all the other ways to save money on your medicines
GPs have been urged to cut back on giving people free vitamins, drugs and over-the-counter treatments for 35 conditions.
The money-saving policy, first introduced in 2018, was drawn up to limit NHS spending on drugs for which there is "limited" evidence they worked.
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This includes probiotics, headlice treatment and drugs for conditions that clear up on their own with some "self-care", such as sore throats, conjunctivitis and mild cystitis.
The crackdown, which experts believe could save the NHS £100million a year, applies to over-the-counter (OTC) meds that can be bought at the chemists.
This includes treatments for diarrhoea, athletes’ foot, sore throats, coughs, colds, warts and ulcers.
Health chiefs who reviewed the policy this year decided not to add or remove any medicines to or from the blacklist.
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Although doctors are encouraged not to prescribe these medicines, they are not banned per se, and medics are able to make decisions based on each patient's needs.
For example, some patients may struggle with self-care due to "significant medical, mental health or social vulnerability" and so would benefit from being prescribed OTC medicines, the updated policy, published last week, read.
Those with long-term or serious illnesses for which these conditions are side effects will continue to get these items on the NHS.
Many of the products included in the cull can be purchased over the counter for a fraction of what it costs the NHS to prescribe.
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It costs the NHS £34 to prescribe a box of 32 paracetamol tablets, including dispensing and GP consultation fees, for example. However, they cost just 79p at your local chemist.
NHS England approved the guidelines at its board meeting last week. It will now be up to local health bodies to decide how to implement them.
Other ways to save money on OTC medicines...
1. Minor ailments scheme
If you or your child has a minor health complaint - like a cough, diarrhoea, eczema or head lice - and you don't pay for your prescriptions, you may also be able to get free treatments through the NHS Minor Ailments Scheme without seeing a GP.
It's not available everywhere as it's run by the NHS at a local level, but it's a great way to potentially save some money.
You likely won't get branded drugs like Calpol or Nurofen, but the unbranded equivalents do the same job, and contain the same active ingredients.
Illnesses supported by the scheme will vary between locations, but generally, it covers:
- Back ache, sprains and strains
- Colds
- Conjunctivitis
- Constipation
- Coughs
- Diarrhoea
- Earache
- Haemorrhoids
- Hay fever
- Head lice
- Headache and fever
- Heartburn and indigestion
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild eczema and dermatitis
- Minor fungal skin infections
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Sore throat
- Teething
- Threadworm
- Thrush
Speak to your pharmacist to see if it's available in your area.
2. Shop around
Something everyone can do to potentially save on their prescriptions is shop around.
Just because you have been prescribed a medication, it doesn't mean that's how you have to buy it.
Some prescribed drugs are also sold over the counter, and they are often significantly cheaper than cost of an NHS prescription, £9.65.
For example, own-brand painkillers like paracetamol and ibuprofen are available for as little as 39p for 16 tablets in Tesco and Aldi.
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A 500g tub of aqueous cream is available in Boots for £3.85, saving you £5.80 compared to the same product on prescription.
If you are unsure, ask your pharmacist if a lower-cost, generic version of your medication is on offer.
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