OVER THE COUNTER MEDICATIONS
In an effort to save money across the NHS we are being advised to reduce prescribing of medications that could be bought over the counter in supermarkets and pharmacies for conditions that are short lived and can be treated without the help of a doctor. In 2017, £569 million was spent on prescription that could have been purchased over the counter in pharmacies or from supermarkets.
Here at The Grantham Practice, your doctor may start discussing buying medications over the counter where you have a self-limiting condition. Below is a list of the types of conditions where we may encourage you to buy the medication yourself.
• Viral sore throat
• Cold sores
• Conjunctivitis
• Coughs & colds
• Haemorrhoids
• Colic
• Dandruff
• Dry eyes
• Earwax
• Head lice & Threadworms
• Digestive discomfort (heartburn, constipation)
• Migraine & Headache
• Insect bites
• Mouth ulcers
• Nappy rash
• Travel sickness
• Warts and verrucae
REDUCING MEDICINES WASTAGE
It is estimated that £300 million of medicine prescribed by the NHS is wasted each year. To save money we are using a number of strategies to help reduce wastage. Here are some simple ways to reduce medications wastage:
– Only order what you need
– Don’t tick all the medication boxes on your repeat prescription form unless you need them all
– You can sign up to electronic prescribing with reception so that your prescriptions go directly to your pharmacist
– Discuss repeat dispensing with your doctor. This means the doctor can issue up to a year’s supply of your regular medicines in advance and issue them in batches via the pharmacist.
– Try and keep your medications in one place in your house so you can tell easily when you are running out or need more.
– It is often helpful to use a dosset box at home with all your weekly doses in so that you know whether you’ve taken all the doses you need to for that week. A Dosset box can be purchased cheaply from your local chemist.