Please note the following items are no longer routinely prescribed, and unless there are exceptional circumstances, patients are expected to buy these products themselves.
- Pain killers for minor aches and pains
- Tonics, vitamins and health supplements
- Ear wax removers (a few drops of olive oil is recommended)
- Lozengers, throat sprays, nasal sprays, mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes
- Indigestion remedies for occasional use
- Creams for bruising, tattoos, and scars
- Moisturisers, bath additives and shampoos for dry skin.
Why
Many of these products are cheap to buy and are readily available along with advice from pharmacies, as well as shops and supermarkets (which are often open late and at weekends).
Sometimes there is a better alternative to the medications, e.g. olive oil to remove ear wax.
There are no real clinical benefits.
The local NHS spends over £700,000 each year on these medicines. This money could be better spent on treating more serious conditions and reducing health inequalities.
