The NHS can spend as much as £569 million in a year prescribing medicines that can be bought from high street pharmacies, supermarkets and even petrol stations. These are called over the counter medicines and are generally used to treat minor and common illnesses and conditions.

By spending less money on treating conditions that will get better by themselves, or can be easily treated by you, at home, we will have more money to spend on maintaining the services we have and investing in new ones.

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Every £1million saved on prescriptions for over the counter treatments could pay for:

39

more community nurses OR

270

more hip replacements OR

66

more drug treatment courses for breast cancer OR

1,000

more drug treatment courses for Alzheimer’s OR

60,000

more GP appointments
(excluding admin and practice staff time)

What is happening to my prescriptions?

Following a national NHS public consultation and engagement with people across South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw, some changes have been made in relation to prescribing these medications.

Our staff, including your doctor and other healthcare professionals will not generally provide you with a prescription for a medicine that you can buy at the local pharmacy, supermarket or elsewhere. This includes items such as vitamins, minerals and other supplements including probiotics, as well as treatments for some mild skin conditions.

With this in mind, it may be quicker and easier for you to speak to a pharmacist or use our self-care resources instead of making an appointment with your GP.

If your doctor thinks that you need a prescription for a medication, he or she will still be able to supply it. The doctor makes the decision.

Conditions that do not require medical advice or treatment as they will clear up on their own include:

acute sore throat

cold sores

conjunctivitis and styes

coughs and colds and nasal congestion

cradle cap and colic in babies

haemorrhoids (piles)

mild cystitis

Minor conditions that are suitable for treatment with items that can easily be purchased over the counter include:

contact dermatitis

dandruff

diarrhoea (adults)

dry eyes/sore tired eyes

earwax

excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)

head lice

indigestion and heartburn

occasional constipation

infrequent migraine

insect bites and stings

mild acne

mild dry skin

mild sunburn

mild to moderate hay fever/allergic rhinitis

minor burns and scalds

minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever (such as aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)

mouth ulcers

nappy rash

oral thrush

prevention of dental caries

ringworm/athletes foot

teething/mild toothache

threadworms

travel sickness

warts and verrucas

Your medicine cabinet

Taking care of yourself and your family

A well-stocked medicine cabinet is a must-have for every household. We asked doctors, nurses and pharmacists to tell us what could be in yours.

All the items listed can be bought over the counter from a chemist or supermarket – you don’t need a prescription.

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  • Calpol and baby ibuprofen; head lice treatments (if you have children or visiting children)
  • Sticking plasters of various sizes
  • Cough medicine
  • Throat lozenges e.g. Tyrozets
  • Paracetamol tablets
  • Ibuprofen tablets
  • Aspirin tablets
  • Hay fever tablets
  • Eye drops
  • Insect bite and sting cream (anti-histamine e.g. Piriton)
  • Antiseptic cream (e.g. Savlon)
  • Antiseptic fluid (e.g. Dettol; TCP)
  • Sterilising fluid or tablets (e.g. Milton)
  • A roll of crepe bandage
  • Dressing tape
  • Safety pins of various sizes
  • Tubigrip bandage in various sizes
  • Small scissors and Tweezers
  • Indigestion remedies (liquid or tablet e.g. Gaviscon)
  • Diarrhoea remedies (e.g. Immodium)
  • Constipation remedies (e.g. Senokot)
  • Thrush cream
  • Haemorrhoid cream (e.g. Anusol)

Contact

If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact Katy Davison: katy.davison@nhs.net