Medication & Prescriptions
Over the Counter (OTC) Medication
Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing. Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of short-term, minor health concerns. Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community. The team of qualified healthcare professionals at your local pharmacy can offer clinical advice to safely and effectively manage minor health concerns. NHS England have produced a list of 32 self-limiting conditions and minor illnesses that can be treated with medicines which can be purchased over the counter in most pharmacies. Please click here for the NHS England information leaflet on over the counter medication.
Help your NHS and do not take an appointment to request medication that can be purchased over the counter without prescription. Did you know: paracetemol is an average of four times as expensive when provided on prescription by the NHS, compared to when it is purchased in supermarkets or pharmacies! It can cost around £34 for 32 on prescription including dispensing and GP consultation fees. Click here for more information.
Blacklisted Medication
Doctors are not allowed to prescribe blacklisted drugs to our patients on the NHS.
By spending less on over-the-counter medicines, the NHS can redirect funding towards treating more serious health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and mental health issues.
Encouraging self-care for minor illnesses also helps to free up GP appointments, making it easier for patients with long-term or more complex health problems to access care when they need it.
This approach also supports patients to take greater responsibility for managing their own health, with community pharmacists available to offer expert advice and guidance where needed.
This includes treatment for:
• acute sore throat
• infrequent cold sores of the lip (exception: can be prescribed for immunocompromised patients)
• conjunctivitis
• coughs, colds and nasal congestion
• cradle cap (exception: can be prescribed if the condition is not improving and is causing the infant distress)
• haemorrhoids
• infant colic
• mild cystitis.
The following leaflet explains more about buying over the counter medication: 1a-over-the-counter-leaflet-v1.pdf
Repeat Medication Ordering
Repeat Prescriptions are for patients with long-term medical conditions who receive regular treatment.
We encourage patients to register with the NHS App to order repeat medication.
Once registered you can access the following online prescription services:
- Order repeat prescriptions quickly and easily
- View your medications (repeat and acutes) and find out more information about your medications.
- View your allergies and condition leaflets for your allergies
Please click here for more information about our online services.
It remains the patient's responsibility to periodically check the stock of their medication and ensure that they have adequate supplies. Last minute requests put significant strain on NHS services and we ask for your support in ordering your medication in a timely manner.
Please ensure that you attend your medication reviews regularly especially if you are taking multiple repeat medications. Patients with long term conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and asthma will need to be seen regularly for monitoring of their condition.
If you are due a medication review, some may be done over the telephone via your doctor. Please ask reception for further information.
Repeat Dispensing
Sometimes when patients have regular stable medication, they may be eligible for repeat dispensing. This is where their prescriptions are automatically sent to a pharmacy in a batch of up to 12 months. Please ask the Pharmacy team for more information.
Prescription Charges
The NHS prescription charge is a flat-rate amount which successive Governments have thought it reasonable to charge for those who can afford to pay for their medicines. Prescription prepayment certificates (PPCs) and HRT Prepayment certificates (HRT PPCs) offer real savings for people who need extensive medication.
NHS Prescription costs as of April 2025:
- The current prescription charge is £9.90
There are 3 PPC options:
- a 3-month PPC costs £32.05 and will save you money if you need more than 3 prescribed items in 3 months.
- a 12-month PPC costs £114.50 and will save you money if you need more than 11 prescribed items in a year.
- a hormone replacement therapy (HRT) PPC costs £19.80 and will save you money if you need more than 2 prescribed qualifying HRT items in a year. A PPC for hormone replacement therapy (HRT) covers an unlimited number of some HRT medicines for 12 months, including if they’re prescribed for something other than menopause symptoms.
The prescription prepayment certificates are available direct debit instalment payments.
PPC: https://buy-prescription-prepayment-certificate.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/start
Antibiotic Prescribing
Antibiotics are used to treat or prevent some types of bacterial infection. They work by killing bacteria or preventing them from reproducing and spreading. But they don’t work for everything. When it comes to antibiotics, take your doctor’s advice.
Antibiotics don't work for viral infections such as colds and flu, and most coughs and sore throats. Many mild bacterial infections also get better on their own without using antibiotics.
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them puts you and your family at risk of a longer and more severe illness. Click here for more information on antibiotics.
Respiratory Tract Infection Leaflet
Urinary Tract Infection Leaflet
Medication Drug Names
Medication drug names are sometimes changed by the practice attached pharmacist to save NHS costs. These are the same as your existing drugs - if you have any queries please speak to reception or your local pharmacist.
Hospital Requests for Medication
Please note, these are generally NON URGENT requests and take up to 5 working days to process.
If you have a hospital prescription it is important that you exchange this at the hospital pharmacy as they are not accepted in community pharmacies.
Herbal and Alternative Medicines
Our clinicians provide advice in line with evidence-based medicine and nationally recognised clinical guidelines. This includes prescribed medications and treatments supported by established research and regulatory approval.
Herbal and alternative medicines are not routinely covered within NHS clinical guidance, and there is often limited, inconsistent, or low-quality evidence available regarding their safety, effectiveness, and potential interactions with prescribed medicines. As such, our clinicians are not able to provide detailed or definitive advice on these products.
In line with our duty to practise within our professional competence and to ensure patient safety, we are unable to advise patients on whether to start, continue, or discontinue herbal or alternative supplements.
Patients who wish to seek further information or guidance on herbal or complementary therapies are advised to consult an appropriately qualified pharmacist or a registered practitioner specialising in herbal or complementary medicine.
We ask that patients inform the practice of any supplements or alternative therapies they are taking, as this information is important to support safe and coordinated care.
If you experience any new or concerning symptoms, please contact the practice for medical advice.
