Eye drops and paracetamol off GPS’ remedy list

THE NHS is to end “overthe-counter” prescriptions for paracetamol and cold remedies as the health service chief urged people to “think like a patient, act like a taxpayer”.

Simon Stevens said the NHS must look to save every pound as it bids to remain the most efficient health service in the world.

Cough mixture, eye drops, laxatives and sun creams are among the products that will no longer be routinely prescribed, following an NHS England board meeting yesterday. The proposals to rein in prescriptions for medicines for minor conditions, which the NHS said could free up £100 million every year, received 60 per cent support in a public consultation.

Mr Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “The NHS is probably the most efficient health service in the world, but we’re determined to keep pushing further. Every pound we save from cutting waste is another pound we can then invest in better A&E care, new cancer treatments and much better mental health services.” The changes will not affect prescriptions for long-term or complex conditions, or where minor illnesses are a symptom of something more serious. Vulnerable patients will also continue to receive over-the-counter items, provided they are proven to be effective.

Treatments for constipation, cold sores, conjunctivitis, haemorrhoids, dandruff, mild indigestion and infant colic are among those which will not be routinely prescribed. Remedies for mouth ulcers, nappy rash, ringworm, athlete’s foot, head lice, travel sickness, and warts and verrucae have also been dropped.

NHS England said it spends £22.8 million every year on constipation treatment, £3million on athlete’s foot, and £4.5 million on dandruff shampoos.

The move follows a November vote to remove herbal remedies, homoeopathy and supplements from the prescription list.