New NHS guidance

Guidance has been issued by the NHS on medical problems which are no longer being treated with prescriptions. Patients are being asked to go to the supermarket or their pharmacy to find an appropriate over-thecounter treatment.

It comes as many patients are booking appointments with GPs despite being unaware of these rulings. The NHS has published a list of 35 conditions for which GPs will no longer be issuing a prescription as it says it has to make difficult choices about where best to spend taxpayers’ money.

A spokesperson from the NHS said: “By reducing the amount the NHS spends on treating these minor health conditions, the NHS can give priority to treatments for patients with more serious conditions such as cancer and mental health problems.”

Following a public consultation that ran from December 2017 to March 2018, a list has been published of all the conditions that prescriptions will no longer be given for. 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 There are exceptions some patients may still be prescribed a medicine for a condition on the list for a variety of reasons.