Over The Counter Prescribing Update

NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) has confirmed a change relating to NHS prescribing of a range of medicines, vitamins and minerals that are available to buy over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets.

This follows a national consultation and subsequent NHS England guidance that recommends that over the counter medicines associated with a number of minor, short term conditions, which either get better by themselves or can be self-treated by the individual, should no longer be routinely prescribed by GP surgeries.

It includes medicines for coughs, colds, infrequent cold sores of the lip, mild to moderate hayfever, mild cystitis, nappy rash, warts and verrucas, earwax and head lice.

The CCG’s Priorities Committee has considered the NHS England guidance and agreed that the recommendations should be fully implemented across the county.
In line with national guidance, the CCG has agreed exceptions to the change, which include:

  • Patients prescribed an over the counter medicine for a long term or more complex condition or;
  • Where a clinician considers that a patient’s well being could be affected due to health, mental health or significant social vulnerability.

To find out more, please visit the Gloucestershire CCG website: www.gloucestershireccg.nhs.uk