Why can't I get a prescription for an over-the-counter medicine?

 

 

 

A GP, nurse or pharmacist will generally not give you a prescription for over-the-counter (OTC) medicines for a range of minor health conditions.

This is because of government policy to reduce the amount of money the NHS spends on prescriptions for treating minor conditions that usually get better on their own.

Instead, OTC medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket. 

Find your nearest pharmacy.

The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns. If your symptoms suggest it's more serious, they'll ensure you get the care you need.

You can buy OTC medicines for any of these conditions:

acute sore throat 

conjunctivitis 

coughs, colds and nasal congestion 

cradle cap 

dandruff 

diarrhoea (adults) 

dry eyes and sore tired eyes

earwax

excessive sweating

haemorrhoids (piles) 

head lice

indigestion and heartburn 

infant colic

infrequent cold sores of the lip 

infrequent constipation

infrequent migraine 

insect bites and stings

mild acne

mild cystitis

mild dry skin

mild irritant dermatitis

mild to moderate hay fever

minor burns and scalds

minor pain, discomfort and fever (such as aches and sprains, headache, period pain, and back pain)

mouth ulcers 

nappy rash  

oral thrush

prevention of tooth decay

ringworm or athlete's foot

sunburn

sun protection

teething or mild toothache

threadworms

travel sickness

warts and verrucas

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For information on how these conditions are treated, 

look up your condition in the health A to Z.

 

Exceptions

In some cases, you can still get prescriptions for medicines used to treat these conditions.

You may still be prescribed a medicine for a condition on the list if:

• you need treatment for a long-term condition, for example regular pain relief for chronic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease

• you need treatment for more complex forms of minor illnesses, for example migraines that are very bad and where OTC medicines do not work

• you need an OTC medicine to treat a side effect of a prescription medicine or symptom of another illness, such as constipation when taking certain painkillers

• the medicine has a licence that does not allow the product to be sold to certain groups of patients. This could include babies, children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding

• the person prescribing thinks that a patient cannot treat themselves, for example because of mental health problems

Probiotics, vitamins and minerals

GPs, nurses or pharmacists will also generally no longer prescribe probiotics or some vitamins and minerals. You can get the vitamins and minerals you need from eating a healthy, varied and balanced diet, or buy them at a pharmacy or supermarket.

 

Why has the NHS reduced these prescriptions?

Before these changes in 2018, the NHS spent around £569 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as paracetamol.

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.