The NHS has taken measures to curb what it deems ‘unnecessary’ expenditure by ceasing the prescription of certain ‘over the counter’ remedies for a list of common health issues. Ailments such as cold sores, sore throats, migraines, and conjunctivitis will no longer be routinely treated by the NHS.
In addition to this, products like cough syrups, paracetamol, eye drops, and even sun creams are no longer on the list of items typically prescribed. This move, which garnered “broad support” from the public in consultations, is aimed at generating significant savings for the NHS every year.
These readily available products can often be bought over the counter at much lower prices than those the NHS would be responsible for. Figures from NHS England show that they spend £22.8 million on constipation remedies, £3 million on treatments for athletes foot and similar fungal conditions, and £4.5 million on anti-dandruff shampoos yearly.
River View Surgery noted, reports Nottinghamshire Live: “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
Per information from River View Surgery, the following conditions are no longer addressed under the current guidelines, which were implemented 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.