Prescriptions for a variety of over-the-counter remedies have been discontinued by the NHS following a concerted effort to curb unnecessary expenditure on everyday ailments. Affected products include cough syrup, paracetamol, eye drops, and sun cream, among others, which are no longer prescribed as a matter of course. As reported by Express.co.uk, the NHS initially floated plans to limit prescriptions for minor conditions, which received "broad support" during public consultations, arguing that the move would save millions annually. Some of these products can be bought over the counter for less than what the NHS would pay.
NHS England highlighted the substantial outlays for conditions including constipation (£22.8 million per year), athlete's foot and fungal infections (£3 million), and dandruff shampoos (£4.5 million). It was reported, the GPs issued 1.1 billion prescriptions items at a whopping cost of £9.2 billion over the course of 2015/16, the majority of which were necessary. However, a notable number of prescriptions were for medicines or treatments available over the counter from pharmacies, supermarkets, and other retailers for a lower price than what the NHS pays.
In a media release, NHS England explained: "GPs issued 1.1 billion prescription items at a cost of £9.2 billion in 2015/16. The vast majority were appropriate but many were for medicines, products or treatments that do not require a prescription and can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, corner shops or other retailers in some cases at a much lower cost than the price paid by the NHS.
"The NHS could save around £190 million a year by cutting such prescriptions for minor, short-term conditions, many of which will cure themselves or cause no long term effect on health.". According to Riverview Surgery, a GP practice in Sunderland, these are the 35 conditions affected by the changes which were first introduced in 2022:. Get our money-saving tips and top offers direct to your inbox with the Mirror Money newsletter.
