Medication

The NHS is asking doctors to stop or greatly reduce the prescribing of certain medicines or treatments. This is because the medicines are:

• Not as safe as other medicines
• Not as good (effective) as other medicines
• More expensive than other medicines that do the same thing
• Should not be available on the NHS in some circumstances

List of products

• Co-proxamol
• Dosulepin
• Prolonged release Doxazosin
• Immediate release Fentanyl
• Glucosamine and Chondroitin
• Herbal treatments
• Homeopathy
• Lidocaine plasters
• Liothyronine containing products
• Lutein and Antioxidants
• Omega-3 fatty acid compounds
• Oxycodone and Naloxone combination product
• Paracetamol and Tramadol combination product
• Perindopril arginine
• Rubefacients e.g. Deep Heat and Movelat
• Once daily Tadalafil
• Trimipramine

Why does the NHS want to reduce prescribing these medicines?

There are differences in how these medicines are prescribed in different parts of the country and the NHS wants to reduce the differences in the levels of prescribing. Some of these medicines were already on the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) ‘do not prescribe’ list.

These changes aim to improve prescribing for patients across the country and save the NHS valuable resources that can be spent on other areas of patient care.

It is important that the NHS achieves the greatest value from the money that it spends.

Vaccines for travel purposes only e.g.

• Hepatitis B
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Yellow Fever
• Tick-borne encephalitis
• Rabies

Where can I find more information and support?

You can speak to your local Pharmacist or GP.

The Patients’ Association can also offer support and advice:

• Visit the Patients' Association website
• Telephone: 020 8423 8999
• Visit the Healthwatch website

Find out more about the medicines that are being stopped or reduced on the NHS website

• Colds, most coughs, sinusitis, ear infections and sore throats get better without any antibiotics, as your body can usually fight these infections on its own.
• The best way to treat most colds, coughs or sore throats is plenty of fluids and rest.
• Without effective antibiotics many routine operations like hip replacements, organ transplants, caesarean sections and treatments for sepsis or chemotherapy will become increasingly dangerous or impossible.
• Over-use of antibiotics can lead to the development of drug-resistant bacteria which can cause serious infections.
• Antibiotics can cause side effects such as rashes, thrush, stomach pains, diarrhoea, reactions to sunlight and other symptoms.
• Help conserve antibiotics so that they remain effective.
• Protect yourself, your family and friends against the spread of antibiotic resistance. 

Become an antibiotic guardian today! Visit the Antibiotic Guardian website

Your GP, Nurse or Pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines for a range of short-term, minor health concerns.

Instead, over-the-counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.

The team of qualified healthcare professionals at your local pharmacy can offer clinical advice to safely and effectively manage minor health concerns. This includes:

For more information and support, visit: Why can't I get a prescription for an over the counter medicine? on the NHS website

GPCPCS is now a National NHS service whereby your GP can refer you to the Community Pharmacy.

For treatment and advice, about minor illnesses and common ailments which you do not need to see your GP for. You will receive a structured consultation and records shared with your GP.

The aim is to resolve patient issues quickly and improve self-care freeing up GP appointment time for patients with more complex needs.

This collaborative approach will allow your GP and local pharmacies to work closer for better health outcomes for patients.

You will receive a same day appointment with an NHS Community Pharmacist working with our practice. You can choose a pharmacy and then they will contact you by phone promptly. If you have not heard from the Pharmacist after a few hours, please feel free to ring them. Please do not visit the pharmacy, as they need to arrange to book you in for the consultation.

FAQ

If I go to the pharmacy, will I get an appointment? If following your consultation with the Pharmacist, your condition requires them to raise anything with us, or arrange an urgent appointment for you; they will do that as part of the service.

Conditions covered