Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.
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 local 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.
Your local pharmacy team are qualified healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills to help with many health concerns. Pharmacists can give clinical advice, right there and then, and help you choose the most appropriate treatment. If your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need.
For further information, please visit the NHS website.
The Mid and South Essex Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Team develop resources to help reduce the prescribing of over-the-counter medicines. If you would like more information on the resources that the Pharmacy and Medicines Optimisation Team produce, please contact [email protected]
Please note
The information on this page is taken from the following website: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/1a-over-the-counter-leaflet-v1.pdf