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GPs and health professionals are not required to provide patients with a prescription to treat a range of minor common illnesses such as coughs, colds, indigestion and heartburn or for minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever such as aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain.
However, you can buy over the counter medicines from your local pharmacy to keep you well and healthy in treating these common illnesses. Remember, antibiotics won’t cure a cough or cold.
There are different choices available rather than visiting a GP and getting a prescription. These include:
Keep a selection of medicines at home to treat symptoms without delay especially pain relief.
Visit a pharmacy first before making a GP appointment as a pharmacist can advise you on how long symptoms last and will recommend medication to relieve symptoms.
If symptoms have not improved or you start to feel worse contact a GP or call 111. (remember, A&E and 999 should only be used for emergencies).
Please help our NHS to use resources sensibly and always choose self-care and pharmacy first for the treatment of common minor health conditions.
Some common winter health conditions which can treated with over the counter medicines include:
Coughs/colds
Sore throats
Nasal congestion
Minor fever
GPs are recommended not to prescribe medicines to treat the following conditions (see list below). However, if youhave these symptoms we encourage patients to look at Live Well on the NHS website where you can find out more about self-care and also information on when you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.
GPs are recommended not to prescribe medicines to treat the following minor conditions:
Probiotics
Vitamins and minerals
Acute sore throat
Infrequent Cold Sores of the lip
Conjunctivitis
Coughs and colds and nasal congestion
Cradle Cap
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 stings
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/athletes foot
Teething/mild toothache
Threadworms
Travel sickness
Warts and verrucae.
For more details on NHS policy guidance on buying over the counter medicines see here.
GPs and health professionals are not required to provide patients with a prescription to treat a range of minor common illnesses such as coughs, colds, indigestion and heartburn or for minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and fever such as aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain.
However, you can buy over the counter medicines from your local pharmacy to keep you well and healthy in treating these common illnesses. Remember, antibiotics won’t cure a cough or cold.
There are different choices available rather than visiting a GP and getting a prescription. These include:
Keep a selection of medicines at home to treat symptoms without delay especially pain relief.
Visit a pharmacy first before making a GP appointment as a pharmacist can advise you on how long symptoms last and will recommend medication to relieve symptoms.
If symptoms have not improved or you start to feel worse contact a GP or call 111. (remember, A&E and 999 should only be used for emergencies).
Please help our NHS to use resources sensibly and always choose self-care and pharmacy first for the treatment of common minor health conditions.
Some common winter health conditions which can treated with over the counter medicines include:
Coughs/colds
Sore throats
Nasal congestion
Minor fever
GPs are recommended not to prescribe medicines to treat the following conditions (see list below). However, if youhave these symptoms we encourage patients to look at Live Well on the NHS website where you can find out more about self-care and also information on when you should seek advice from a healthcare professional.
GPs are recommended not to prescribe medicines to treat the following minor conditions:
Probiotics
Vitamins and minerals
Acute sore throat
Infrequent Cold Sores of the lip
Conjunctivitis
Coughs and colds and nasal congestion
Cradle Cap
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 stings
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/athletes foot
Teething/mild toothache
Threadworms
Travel sickness
Warts and verrucae.
For more details on NHS policy guidance on buying over the counter medicines see here.
