Here at St Mary’s Surgery your doctor, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for medication that is available to buy over-the-counter (OTC) from local pharmacies or supermarkets.
This covers medicines or treatments for a range of minor health conditions including cough and cold treatments, eye drops, headache tablets, laxatives, sun cream lotions, vitamins and probiotics. All these medicines are widely available from supermarkets and pharmacies at reasonable cost.
Patients are encouraged to keep a small supply of simple treatments in their own medicine cabinet so they are able to manage minor ailments at home.
By reducing the amount it spends on OTC medicines, the NHS can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.
Updated 25.2.21