The NHS has stopped offered prescriptions for 35 conditions that it classes as “minor”.
Cold sores, sore throats, migraines, and conjunctivitis will not be routinely taken on by the NHS, alongside items like cough syrup, paracetamol, eye drops, and sun creams.
This follows proposals which aimed to cut prescriptions for minor ailments a move believed to be supported by public opinion.
The NHS can save millions each year through these measures. For example, NHS England disclosed an annual spending of £22.8 million on constipation remedies, £3 million for treating athlete’s foot and other fungal conditions, and £4.5 million on anti-dandruff shampoos.
- 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.