NHS England bans prescription for certain over-counter medications

The NHS England Board has decided to restrict the prescription for over-the-counter medicines that are generally advised for short-term health conditions. As per the new guidelines, products such as eye drops, cough mixtures, sun creams, and laxatives will no longer be counted amongst prescribed medicines.

The NHS said that the proposal to restrain the prescription for these medicines may save millions of pounds on an annual basis. As per authentic reports, cold sores, constipation, mild indigestion, infant colic, mild indigestion, scalds, minor pain and burns will be enlisted among the health conditions for which the medication need not be routinely prescribed. The medications for nappy rash, athlete’s foot, ringworm, travel sickness, mouth ulcers, and head lice have also been cut from the prescription routine.

The chief executive of NHS England, Simon Stevens stated that every pound they save from cutting waste would be another pound they could invest in the betterment of cancer treatment, A&E care, and mental health services. He further said that while the NHS was possibly the most efficient health service across the globe, they are determined to keep pushing it further.

As per reliable sources, NHS England spends a stipulated amount on over-the-counter remedies. For the record, it spends £22.8 million on constipation treatment, £4.5 million on dandruff shampoos, and £3 million on athlete’s foot. It is being speculated that the prescription elimination policy could free nearly £100 million for healthcare services.

As of now, clinical commissioning groups will decide whether or not to implement the proposal of NHS in their areas. During the consultation, CCGs raised concerns about the influence of guidelines on patients in rural areas with limited access to pharmaceutical facilities. In this regard, guidelines have been restructured, say reports.

Meanwhile, over 60% of the respondents to the consultation have agreed that over-counter products need not be prescribed for minor health issues.