Have your say on new charges for low cost medicines

The body, which oversees the budget, planning, delivery and day-to-day operation of the commissioning side of the NHS, is proposing new guidelines that would discourage GPs from prescribing medicines that are available to purchase over the counter in pharmacies and shops without a prescription.

The consultation identifies a number of medicines for treating the following conditions (but the list is not exhaustive) including:

• Diarrhoea
• Cold sores
• Constipation
• Teething
• Acute Pain
• Nappy rash
• Athlete’s foot
• Mouth ulcers
• Fever
• Haemorrhoids
• Oral and vaginal thrush
• Ear wax
• Head lice
• Warts and verrucae
• Insect bites and stings
• Soft tissue injury/musculoskeletal joint injury
• Conjunctivitis
• Viral upper respiratory tract infections
• Contact dermatitis
• Scabies
• Sore throat
• Ring worm
• Headache
• Mild acne
• Indigestion and heartburn (dyspepsia)
• Minor burns and scalds

The proposed changes, which are not outlined in detail, may affect those who are regularly prescribed these medicines (e.g. loperamide) and those who are currently exempt from prescription charges or purchase a prescription prepayment certificate (which caps the amount paid for the medicines over a 3 or 12-month period).

Crohn’s and Colitis UK are concerned to ensure that these proposals would not have a negative impact on people’s ability to manage their Crohn’s or Colitis or associated conditions or complications arising from treatments. The inclusion of diarrhoea, haemorrhoid, constipation and mouth ulcer treatments are of particular relevance.

We would very much like to hear your view of the proposals. We would like to learn more about:

• your experiences of being prescribed these medication to manage IBD? Whether you agree with NHS England’s suggestion that these drugs, when prescribed, are for ‘in most cases are minor and/or self-limiting conditions’. Are you prescribed these drugs on a regular basis to manage your IBD, for example? 
• how might you be affected by the proposed changes? For example, how would these changes impact you financially?
• would you have any concerns about not having access to advice from your GP or clinician responsible for your care when purchasing these medicines over the counter?

Please share your views by emailing ppr@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk by Friday 6 October 2017.

For more information about the consultation please visit the NHS England website.