1 week Ago By [email protected] (Jamie Brassington)
Cost-cutting moves has seen NHS surgeries in England reduce the amount of free 'over-the-counter' medicine available to patients. Patients can claim free treatment for common illnesses at participating pharmacies as part of the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme service. Across Wales, Scotland Northern Ireland, the free support is still widely available.
In England, its available at select pharmacies. But more surgeries in England have been reducing the number of free medicine over-the-counter in a bid to cut costs, reports Express.co.
uk. This includes medicine like paracetamol. A consultation carried out by NHS England in 2022 found it could save around £190 million each year by cutting free prescriptions for conditions deemed short-term and minor.
READ MORE: DVLA's 'naughty' list of 2025 number plates that won't see the light of day Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp , click the link to join Many of these conditions were considered ones that could 'cure themselves or have no long-term health effects'. As a result, in most NHS surgeries in England, the following conditions no longer qualify for free, over-the-counter prescriptions: 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. However, people can still get free treatment in certain pharmacies in England that subscribe to the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme, such as some Boots stores.
What medicines are covered by the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme depends on the location, and it’s suggested that people talk to their local pharmacy directly to find out what they offer. People can qualify for the NHS Minor Ailment Scheme if they qualify for free prescriptions. Some who are eligible include those aged over 60, people aged under 16, and others who have certain illnesses or receive certain benefits.
To clarify eligibility, people can use the NHS’s three-minute tool that allows them to check more accurately. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has been urged to shift eligibility for free prescriptions to align with the state pension age of 66, rather than 60. The call comes ahead of the Government’s Autumn Budget, in which Ms Reeves aims to fill a “£22billion” hole in the nation’s finances.
A 2021 Government report estimated that increasing the age threshold for free prescriptions could save £6.2 billion over 10 years, potentially shifting the cost burden to older individuals needing medication for chronic conditions. Liz Emerson, chief executive of the Intergenerational Foundation, said: "Aligning free prescriptions with the state pension age would improve intergenerational fairness by reducing the cost of the current 1.
1 billion items distributed each year, 90 percent of which are free of charge." The backlash received from this year’s Winter Fuel Payment cuts may deter the Chancellor from making such a move, however, some argue that nothing is off the table. Ms Reeves will announce the new Labour Government’s Autumn Budget on Wednesday, October 30.
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