Doctors will no longer prescribe medicine for 35 conditions – here’s the full list of ailments that won’t be covered
DOCTORS will no longer prescribe medicine for 35 conditions as the public will be asked to buy them over the counter instead.
The NHS published the list of ailments - including conjunctivitis, head lice and ringworm - which GPs will no longer give out prescriptions for.
It comes as the NHS are attempting to save the money it spends on dealing with minor ailments.
Patients are instead being asked to go to pharmacies to find suitable over-the-counter treatments for medical issues.
The health service said: "By reducing the amount the NHS spends on treating these minor health conditions, the NHS can give priority to treatments for patients with more serious conditions such as cancer and mental health problems."
NHS England compiled a list of conditions that will no longer be dealt with by prescription.
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The decisions were made following a public consultation that ran from December 2017 to March 2018.
The illnesses include sunburn, nappy rash, and mouth ulcers - as well as burns, migraines, and haemorrhoids.
In children, they are no longer prescribing medication for cradle cap, infant colic and nappy rash.
NHS England said there are exemptions - including in cases where over-the-counter medicine doesn't prove effective.
35 conditions NHS doctors won't prescribe medication for
- Acute sore throat
- Conjunctivitis
- Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
- Cradle cap
- Dandruff
- Diarrhoea (adults)
- Dry eyes/sore tired eyes
- Earwax
- Excessive sweating
- Haemorrhoids
- Head lice
- Indigestion and heartburn
- Infant colic
- Infrequent cold sores of the lip
- Infrequent constipation
- Infrequent migraine
- Insect bites and stings
- Mild acne
- Minor burns and scalds
- Mild cystitis
- Mild dry skin
- Mild irritant dermatitis
- Mild to moderate hay fever
- Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)
- Mouth ulcers
- Nappy rash
- Oral thrush
- Prevention of tooth decay
- Ringworm/athlete's foot
- Sunburn
- Sun protection
- Teething/mild toothache
- Threadworms
- Travel sickness
- Warts and verrucae
Probiotics and some vitamins and minerals will no longer be routinely prescribed too - because most people can get these from eating a healthy diet or can buy their vitamin pills at a supermarket.
The statement continued: "The NHS said: "A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.
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"This is because of Government policy to reduce the amount of money the NHS spends on prescriptions for treating minor conditions that usually get better on their own.
"Before these changes in 2018, the NHS spent around £569 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as paracetamol."