14 minor ailments no longer treated by the NHS as it cracks down on free prescriptions

A number of 'over the counter' remedies are no longer available on the NHS as part of its ongoing crackdown on unnecessary spending on common ailments and issues

The NHS has ceased prescribing a range of 'over the counter' remedies following recent clampdowns on unnecessary service spending for common ailments and issues.

Medications like cough syrup, paracetamol, eye drops, and sun creams are no longer routinely provided by GPs under the NHS reports the Express.

During initial debates, proposals to cut prescriptions for minor conditions, which reportedly save the NHS millions annually, were met with "broad support" from the public.

The stated reason is that some products can be bought over the counter at a lower price than the cost to the NHS. However, those eligible for free prescriptions may be disadvantaged, as they'll need to pay for items they previously received at no charge.

Amidst speculation regarding Labour's impending Budget, there's no confirmed change to the free prescriptions policy yet.

According to NHS England, annual expenditures include £22.8 million on constipation treatment, £3 million on treatments for athlete's foot and other fungal infections, and £4.5 million on dandruff shampoo.

River View Surgery has stated: "GPs issued 1.1 billion prescription items at a cost of £9.2 billion in 2015/16. The vast majority were appropriate but many were for medicines, products or treatments that do not require a prescription and can be purchased over the counter from pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, corner shops or other retailers in some cases at a much lower cost than the price paid by the NHS."

They also listed conditions no longer treated by the NHS due to changes first introduced in 2022, including acute sore throat, infrequent cold sores of the lip, conjunctivitis, coughs and colds and nasal congestion, cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis infants), haemorrhoids, infant colic, mild cystitis, mild irritant dermatitis, dandruff, diarrhoea (adults), dry eyes/sore (tired) eyes, earwax, excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis), head lice, indigestion and heartburn, infrequent constipation, infrequent migraine, insect bites and sting, mild acne, mild dry skin, sunburn, sun protection, mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis, minor burns and scalds, 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 dental caries, ringworm/athlete's foot, teething/mild toothache, threadworms, travel sickness, warts and verruca.