Prescriptions for a range of common ‘over the counter’ remedies are no longer available on the NHS after a crackdown in recent years on ‘unnecessary’ spending by the service on common ailments.
Cold sores, sore throats, migraines and conjunctivitis are among the conditions which will no longer be treated on the NHS by default, while cough syrup, paracetamol, eye drops and sun creams are among the products no longer being routinely prescribed by the NHS.
The proposals to rein in prescriptions for medicines for minor conditions, which the NHS said saves millions of pounds every year, received “broad support” in a public consultation when it was first discussed.
Some of the products are available for purchase over the counter at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS. NHS England said it spent £22.8 million every year on constipation treatment, £3 million on athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, and £4.5 million on dandruff shampoos.
River View Surgery said: “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.”
Conditions no longer treated by the NHS
According to River View Surgery, these are the conditions affected by the changes which were first introduced in 2022
Acute sore throat
Infrequent cold sores of the lip
Conjunctivitis
Coughs and colds and nasal congestion
Cradle Cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants)
Haemorrhoids
Infant colic
Mild cystitis
Mild irritant dermatitis
Dandruff
Diarrhoea (adults)
Dry eyes/sore (tired) eyes
Earwax
Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)
Head lice
Indigestion and heartburn
Infrequent constipation
Infrequent migraine
Insect bites and sting
Mild acne
Mild dry skin
Sunburn
Sun protection
Mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis
Minor burns and scalds
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 dental caries
Ringworm/athlete’s foot
Teething/mild toothache
Threadworms
Travel sickness
Warts and verruca.