NHS Telford and Wrekin CCG does not support the routine prescribing of medication that is available to buy from local pharmacies or supermarkets for children or adults for the management of self-limiting conditions. The medication listed below are examples of medicines that should be purchased by the patient/parent/guardian:

(This list is not exhaustive)

• Anti-diarrhoeal medication for short term diarrhoea (<72hrs)
• Anti-inflammatory gels e.g. ibuprofen gel
• Antifungal preparations e.g. Canesten
• Antiperspirants
• Bath oils and shower gel (unless recommended by a specialist for infected atopic eczema)
• Cough and cold remedies
• Haemorrhoidal preparations e.g. Anusol
• Hay fever remedies e.g. antihistamines, nasal sprays (patients >18yrs)
• Head lice treatments
• Ibuprofen for short term use
• Indigestion remedies e.g. Gaviscon, Peptac
• Laxatives for short term use (<72 hours)
• Lactose free infant formula
• Lubricating eye drops and chloramphenicol eye drops and eye ointment (patients >2yrs)
• Medicated shampoos e.g. Alphosyl, Capasal
• Moisturising creams, gels, ointments and balms for dry skin with no diagnosis
• Mouthwash e.g. Corsodyl
• Nasal douches e.g Sterimar
• Paracetamol for short term use
• Potassium hydroxide for Molluscum contagiosum e.g. Molludab
• Rehydration sachets
• Threadworm tablets
• Vitamins and supplements e.g. low dose vitamin D (<2,000units), I-Caps, multivitamins

The reasons for this are as follows :

Patients have a responsibility to look after themselves and their children where possible and manage self-limiting minor ailments with support from their local pharmacy if needed.

Patients should keep a small supply of simple treatments in their own medicine cabinet so they are able to manage minor ailments at home.

All these medicines are widely available from supermarkets and pharmacies at reasonable cost.

Many of these treatments are more expensive when prescribed on the NHS compared to when they are purchased in pharmacies or supermarkets.

The NHS belongs to everybody and the ICB must ensure that its resources are used in the best possible way for all patients.