NHS surgeries in England are reducing the amount of ‘over-the-counter’ medicines they offer for free in a bid to cut costs.
The NHS Minor Illness Scheme is a service that allows patients to claim free treatment for common illnesses at participating pharmacies.
Free support is still widely available in selected pharmacies in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England.
However, as part of cost-cutting efforts over the past few years, an increasing number of UK NHS surgeries have reduced the amount of free ‘over-the-counter’ medicines such as paracetamol.
A 2022 consultation found NHS England could save around £190m a year by reducing free prescriptions for mild, short-term conditions, many of which will resolve on their own or have long-term health benefits. It was found that there is a possibility that there is no significant impact.
Are you affected by these new rules? Are they fair? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Since then, most NHS surgeries in the UK no longer offer free over-the-counter medicines for the following conditions:
- acute sore throat
- Rare cold sores
- conjunctivitis
- cough, cold, stuffy nose
- Cradle cap (seborrheic dermatitis – infants)
- hemorrhoids
- infant colic
- mild cystitis
- Mild irritant dermatitis
- dandruff
- Diarrhea (adult)
- Dry eyes/eye pain (tired eyes)
- earwax
- excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
- head lice
- indigestion and heartburn
- rare constipation
- rare migraine
- insect bites and stings
- mild acne
- mild dry skin
- sunburn
- sunscreen
- Mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis
- Minor burns or burns
- Mild symptoms with pain, discomfort, and fever. (Example: pain, sprain, headache, menstrual pain, lower back pain)
- stomatitis
- diaper rash
- Oral candidiasis
- Prevention of tooth decay
- Ringworm/athlete’s foot
- Teething/mild toothache
- heartworm
- motion sickness
- Warts and warts.
However, you can still get treatment for free at certain pharmacies in England that are part of the NHS Minor Illness Scheme, such as some Boots stores.
What medicines are covered by the NHS Minor Illness Scheme varies by location, so we recommend contacting your local pharmacy directly to find out what medicines they offer.
People who are eligible for free prescriptions may qualify for the NHS Minor Illness Scheme. Eligible people include people over 60, under 16, have certain medical conditions, or receive certain benefits. To clarify eligibility, users may NHS 3 minute tool This will allow you to check more accurately.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves is being urged to change eligibility for free prescriptions to bring the state pension age to 66 rather than 60.
The call was made ahead of the government’s Autumn Budget, in which Mr Reeves aims to plug a “£22bn” hole in the national finances.
Raising the age threshold for free prescriptions could save £6.2bn over 10 years, a 2021 government report found, potentially shifting the cost burden to older people who need medicines for chronic conditions. We estimate that.
Liz Emerson, chief executive of the Intergenerational Foundation, said: “Aligning free prescriptions with state pension age will reduce the cost of the 1.1 billion items currently distributed each year and improve intergenerational equity. It’s going to get better, and 90% of it will be free.”
The backlash received over this year’s winter fuel bill cuts may deter the Chancellor from making such a move, but some argue there is nothing wrong with that.
Ms Reeves is due to announce the new Labor government’s autumn budget on Wednesday 30 October.
