Over the Counter Medicines

We have been asked by NHS England to reduce the prescribing of medicines which are available to purchase at a pharmacy or in a supermarket, for example paracetamol or hay fever medication.

As a result you may see some changes to your repeat medication list.

There are some exceptions to these changes which include; 

• a requirement for treatment for a long term condition, i.e. regular pain relief for chronic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease. 
• the need for treatment for more complex forms of minor illnesses, i.e. migraines that are bad and where over the counter medicines don't work. 
• where you need an over the counter medicine to treat a side effect of a prescription medication, i.e. constipation when taking painkillers. 
• where the person prescribing think that a patient cannot treat themselves because of mental health or vulnerability. 

What can you do?
Keeping a few useful medicines at home means you can treat common conditions immediately without needing to see a healthcare professional. These could include:
- Painkillers to help with pain, discomfort and fever
- Indigestion medicines, oral rehydration salts and treatments for constipation and diarrhoea
- Treatments for seasonal conditions like colds and hay fever
- Sunblock and after sun
- Basic first aid items (for example plasters or antiseptic cream)

Published on 16 June 2026