Changes in over-the-counter prescribing

News - 2 September 2019

The NHS is having to make financial savings and as a result changes are being made to over-the-counter prescriptions.
Infographic of soluble tablets

The NHS is having to make huge financial savings. Currently the NHS spends around £135 million each year on prescribing medication such as antihistamines and paracetamol, which can be bought elsewhere, for example at the supermarket or pharmacy.

As a result of this, local GPs, nurses and pharmacists will not generally give prescriptions for over-the-counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns. 

One of our work priorities for this year was to speak to people in B&NES about the impact that these changes have had on them.

We carried out seven pieces of engagement work around this. Five were in partnership with Age UK, one with University of the Third Age (U3A) and one with Parkinson's Bath and District Branch (Midsomer Norton).

We will shortly be publishing our findings from  our engagement in a report.

To find out more, including the exceptions to this approach, go to the NHS over-the-counter leaflet or go to the Easy Read version.

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