Over the counter medication

The NHS currently spends around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket. This includes medication such as paracetamol, hay fever medication and vitamin supplements. Please help the NHS by not requesting over the counter medications on prescription.

By reducing the amount, it spends on over the counter medicines, the NHS can give priority to treatments for people with more serious conditions, such as cancer, diabetes and mental health problems.