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Paxton Green Group Practice
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.
Information on how to care for yourself and how to identify when you need medical attention.
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.
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.
Self-Care
Help and support available from many National and Local Organisations
Pharmacy
Your pharmacy can advise you on common illnesses without the need for an appointment.
Medications included in ‘low priority prescribing’ medications
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