By Talking Health TV –

In a significant shift aimed at curbing ‘unnecessary’ expenditure, prescriptions for a range of common ‘over-the-counter’ remedies are no longer available on the NHS.

This move, reported by The Express, targets the treatment of minor ailments such as cold sores, sore throats, migraines, and conjunctivitis.

The crackdown means that products like cough syrup, paracetamol, eye drops, and sun creams will no longer be routinely prescribed.

This policy change follows a public consultation where the proposals to limit prescriptions for minor conditions received “broad support.”

The NHS argues that these measures save millions of pounds annually, highlighting that many over-the-counter products are available at a lower cost than what the NHS incurs.

NHS England disclosed that it spends £22.8 million annually on treatments for constipation, £3 million on athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, and £4.5 million on dandruff shampoos.

A representative from River View Surgery commented: “GPs issued 1.1 billion prescription items at a cost of £9.2 billion in 2015/16. While most were appropriate, many were for treatments that can be bought over the counter at pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, corner shops, or other retailers, often at a much lower cost than the NHS price.”

Conditions No Longer Treated by the NHS

As per River View Surgery, the following conditions, no longer treated by the NHS since the changes first introduced in 2022, include:

• 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 stings
• 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 verrucas