Patients Encouraged To ‘Self Care’ With Minor Ailment Treatment

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board are urging patients not to get a doctor’s prescription for medication that can be bought at a pharmacy.

Around four million pounds a year is spent on prescribing medication that can be purchased at a local pharmacy, supermarket or shop.

Now patients are being encouraged to visit a local pharmacy for medication that can treat ‘minor ailments’, including painkillers, vitamins, laxatives, hay fever treatments and head lice treatments. However these items can be purchased without the need of a doctor’s prescription.

Speaking about the announcement, Dr Berwyn Owen, Clinical Director of Pharmacy and Medicines Management said: “Many of these products can be purchased at a minimum cost and often much more cheaply than it would cost the NHS.

“We currently spend four million pounds every year on over the counter medicines and this year we are experiencing a significant growth in their cost. A 2% reduction would reduce our costs by an estimated £80,000, which at a time when the NHS is under constant pressure is a significant amount.

“Community Pharmacists are highly trained health care professionals and are in an ideal position to assist with ‘self care’ and to advise on the most appropriate product for each individual patient.

“As part of the Welsh Government’s Choose Well Campaign, we are encouraging patients to choose their local pharmacy for advice on minor ailments / illnesses and over the counter medicines. This will not only free up your GP’s time, but will also reduce waste through the prescribing of additional quantities for use on a future basis or just in case.”

Along with other Health Boards across Wales, GPs have also been asked to ‘reduce unnecessary prescribing of these simple medications’. However the products will be prescribed if your GP considers it essential you take the medication for your condition.

Geoff Ryall-Harvey, Chief Officer of the North Wales Community Health Council (CHC) added: “Our members welcome this drive by Health Boards, both locally and nationally, and see it as a positive way forward in reducing the huge amount of waste that comes from repeat prescriptions and stockpiling of medications by patients. However, it is also reassuring that in some situations the doctor can still prescribe these medicines on the NHS.”