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Some ‘over the counter’ remedies will no longer be available on the NHS from the end of this month as part of plans to cut costs.

NHS England officials have ruled cough mixture, eye drops, laxatives and sun creams are among a range of products that will no longer be prescribed.

Proposals to rein in prescriptions for medicines for dozens of minor conditions, received “broad support” in a public consultation, NHS board members heard.

The NHS announced the move, which will save millions of pounds every year, at the end of March. The new guidance to GPs across the UK starts from May 31, reports the Mirror .

Simon Stevens, chief executive of NHS England, said: “Across the NHS our aim is to: ‘Think like a patient, act like a taxpayer’.

“The NHS is probably the most efficient health service in the world, but we’re determined to keep pushing further.

“Every pound we save from cutting waste is another pound we can then invest in better A&E care, new cancer treatments and much better mental health services.”

(Image: Anthony Devlin/PA Wire)

A report revealed that more than 60% of respondents to the consultation agreed that over-the-counter products should not be prescribed for a range of minor conditions, board papers show.

The changes will not affect prescriptions for long-term or complex conditions, or where minor illnesses are a symptom of something more serious.

Treatments for constipation, cold sores, conjunctivitis, mild indigestion, dandruff, haemorrhoids, infant colic, minor burns and scalds and minor pain conditions such as headache and backache are among those which will not be routinely prescribed.

Remedies for mouth ulcers, nappy rash, ringworm, athlete’s foot, head lice, mild toothache, travel sickness, and warts and verrucae have also been dropped, as well as some vitamins and minerals.

This is because some of the products were available for purchase over the counter at a lower cost than that which would be incurred by the NHS.

NHS England said it spends £22.8 million every year on constipation treatment, £3 million on athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, and £4.5 million on dandruff shampoos.

(Image: Julien Behal/PA Wire)

The prescription changes could free up almost £100 million for the health service, the body added.

The move follows a vote in November to remove homeopathy, herbal remedies and supplements from the prescription list as part of a review of “wasteful” prescriptions.

Conditions affected by NHS prescription crackdown

Acute sore throat

Infrequent cold sores of the lip

Conjunctivitis

Coughs and colds and nasal congestion

Cradle Cap (seborrhoeic dermatitis – infants)

Haemorrhoids

Infant colic

Mild cystitis

Mild irritant dermatitis

Dandruff

Diarrhoea (adults)

Dry eyes/sore (tired) eyes

(Image: NHS)

Earwax

Excessive sweating (Hyperhidrosis)

Head lice

Indigestion and heartburn

Infrequent constipation

Infrequent migraine

Insect bites and sting

Mild acne

Mild dry skin

Sunburn

Sun protection

Mild to moderate hay fever/seasonal rhinitis

Minor burns and scalds

Minor conditions associated with pain, discomfort and/fever. (e.g. aches and sprains, headache, period pain, back pain)

Mouth ulcers

Nappy rash

Oral thrush

Prevention of dental caries

Ringworm/athletes foot

Teething/mild toothache

Threadworms

Travel sickness

Warts and verruca