GPs, nurses, and pharmacists are no longer routinely prescribing medicines for minor health conditions that can be bought over the counter (OTC) at pharmacies or supermarkets. The NHS is making this change to ensure resources are prioritised for those with more serious or long-term conditions.

The NHS currently spends around £136 million a year on prescriptions for OTC medicines such as paracetamol, which are readily available at a lower cost in pharmacies and supermarkets. Reducing these prescriptions allows the NHS to focus funding on essential services and treatments for conditions like cancer, diabetes, and mental health care.

If you previously received a prescription for an OTC medicine that is no longer routinely prescribed, this may have been removed from your repeat medication list. You can buy these treatments from a pharmacy, supermarket, or online. If you believe you have an exception (see below), please discuss this with your GP or pharmacist.

Prescriptions will not usually be provided for conditions that can be self-treated, including:

• Common conditions – sore throat, coughs, colds, hay fever, mild acne, diarrhoea (adults), indigestion, headaches, minor pain, period pain
• Skin conditions – dandruff, dry skin, nappy rash, athlete’s foot, insect bites, sunburn
• Children’s conditions – teething, colic, head lice
• General health concerns – travel sickness, haemorrhoids, oral thrush, warts, verrucae
• Vitamins, minerals & probiotics – these are available through a healthy, balanced diet

In some cases, an OTC medicine may still be prescribed if:

• You have a long-term condition (e.g. arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease).
• The minor illness is complex or severe (e.g. migraines that don’t respond to OTC treatment).
• The medicine is required to manage side effects of a prescribed treatment (e.g. laxatives for opioid painkillers).
• The medicine cannot be bought OTC due to licensing restrictions (e.g. for young children or pregnancy).
• The prescribing clinician feels the patient cannot self-care due to vulnerability.

Your local pharmacy team can provide expert advice and help you choose the most appropriate treatment. If they believe your symptoms require further assessment, they will advise you on the next steps, such as contacting your GP or NHS 111.

Keeping basic medicines at home allows you to treat common conditions immediately without needing to see a healthcare professional. These may include:

• Pain relief – paracetamol, ibuprofen
• Cold & flu remedies – decongestants, throat lozenges
• Stomach & digestion aids – antacids, oral rehydration salts
• Skin treatments – antiseptic cream, plasters, sunscreen
• Children’s medicines – age-appropriate pain relief and teething gels

If your symptoms persist despite self-care, take the following steps:

• Ask your pharmacist for further advice.
• Call NHS 111 if you’re unsure what to do.
• Contact your GP if your symptoms worsen.