In line with NHS England recommendations, GP’s have been asked to stop prescribing medicine for 35 minor conditions listed on this page.
The NHS wants people to have the confidence to look after themselves where they can. This gives people greater control of their health without the need to visit their GP for minor conditions.
Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns, even if you qualify for free prescriptions. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.
The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns and if your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need.
- Acute sore throat
- Conjunctivitis
- Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
- Cradle cap
- Dandruff
- Diarrhoea (adults)
- Dry eyes/sore tired eyes
- Earwax
- Excessive sweating
- Haemorrhoids
- Head lice
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Infant colic
- Infrequent cold sores of the lip
- Infrequent constipation
- Infrequent migraine
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild acne
- Minor burns and scalds
- Mild cystitis
- Mild dry skin
- Mild irritant dermatitis
- Mild to moderate hay fever
- 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 tooth decay
- Ringworm/athlete’s foot
- Sunburn
- Sun protection
- Teething/mild toothache
- Threadworms
- Travel sickness
- Warts and verrucae
Why does the NHS want to reduce prescribing of over the counter medicines?
The NHS needs to make difficult choices about where money is spent to get the most benefit for patients.
The NHS wants for each medicine prescribed to offer the best opportunity for improved health and wellbeing. For the most part, prescribing of over-the-counter medicines does not achieve this. The NHS has been spending around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket. By reducing the amount the NHS spends on over the counter medicines we can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.