Over The Counter (OTC) medicines

 

In line with NHS national policy, our practice will not generally give you a prescription for over-the-counter medicines (OTC) for a range of minor health concerns, even if you qualify for free prescriptions. Instead, OTC medicines are available to buy in local pharmacies and supermarkets.

Our Practice policy follows the national guidance for OTC medicines from NHS England and South East London (SEL) Integrated Care Board (SELICB).

NHS-England Low Priority Medications

Some patients are receiving medicines which have been proven to be relatively ineffective or in some cases potentially harmful, and/or for which there are other more effective, safer and/or cheaper alternatives.

There are also products which are no longer appropriate to be prescribed on the NHS.

These items have been deemed ‘low priority prescribing’ medicines.

GP practices are encouraged to review and deprescribe such medicines. NHSE has set out in a policy these such medicines here. Items which should not be routinely prescribed in primary care can be deemed ‘low priority prescribing’ medicines.

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Conditions included under Over The Counter (OTC) medicines

Conditions included under Over The Counter (OTC) medicines

  • Acute sore throat
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Coughs, colds and nasal congestion
  • Cradle cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants)
  • Dandruff
  • Diarrhoea (adults)
  • Dry eyes/sore (tired) eyes
  • Earwax
  • Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Head lice
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Infant colic
  • Infrequent cold sores of the lip
  • Infrequent constipation
  • Infrequent migraine
  • Insect bites and stings
  • Mild acne
  • Mild cystitis
  • Mild dry skin
  • Mild irritant dermatitis
  • 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/athletes foot
  • Sunburn
  • Sun protection
  • Teething/mild toothache
  • Threadworms
  • Travel sickness
  • Warts and verrucae

Pharmacy & Self-Care

Help and support available from many Pharmacies, Local and National Organisations.

Pharmacy First

There are 7 common conditions that community pharmacists can now treat.

See details and a list of participating pharmacies

Pharmacy First Plus

The Pharmacy First Plus scheme provides professional health care advice, treatments, and medicines for common illnesses from selected Lambeth pharmacies to those most in need. If you are eligible, medicines recommended for you by the pharmacist are offered are free of charge.

Learn more about this service

Self-Care

Help and support available from many National and Local Organisations

Visit our Health Zone

Pharmacy

Your pharmacy can advise you on common illnesses without the need for an appointment.

Locate your local pharmacy

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Medications included in ‘low priority prescribing’ medications

Aliskerin

  • Amiodarone
  • Bath and Shower preparations

Co-proxamol

  • Dosulepin
  • Doxasozin prolonged release

Dronedarone

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin
  • Herbal treatments and other natural remedies

Homeopathy

  • Immediate release fentanyl
  • Lutein and antioxidants

Lidocaine plasters

  • Liothyronine
  • Minocycline for acne

Omega-3 fatty acid compounds

  • Oxycodone and naloxone combination products
  • Paracetamol and tramadol combination product

Perindopril arginine

  • Rubefacients, benzydamine, mucopolysaccharide and cooling products
  • Silk garments
  • Trimipramine