Quarry Bank Medical Centre follows NHS England guidance regarding the prescribing of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins, supplements, and self-care treatments.

This means that the practice will not routinely prescribe medicines or products for conditions that can normally be safely managed with home remedies, self-care, or items purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket.

This national NHS policy has been introduced to ensure that limited NHS resources are used appropriately and remain available for patients with serious, long-term, or complex medical conditions.

As a result, GPs and prescribing clinicians at the practice will generally not issue NHS prescriptions for many common OTC products, including:

• Paracetamol and ibuprofen for short-term minor pain
• Cold and flu remedies
• Cough medicines and throat lozenges
• Hay fever tablets, nasal sprays, and eye drops
• Mild eczema or dry skin creams
• Mouth ulcer and oral pain treatments
• Indigestion and heartburn remedies
• Mild constipation treatments
• Athlete’s foot and antifungal creams
• Head lice treatments
• Probiotics
• Sunscreen products
• Simple moisturisers
• Travel sickness medicines
• Ear wax treatments
• Mild haemorrhoid treatments
• Multivitamins and general vitamin supplements

Routine prescribing of vitamins is also restricted under NHS guidance unless there is a clear clinical indication. In most cases, vitamins and supplements should be purchased directly by patients.

Examples where prescriptions would not usually be provided include:

• General tiredness without proven deficiency
• “Immune boosting” supplements
• Hair, skin or nail vitamins
• General multivitamins
• Probiotics
• Over-the-counter menopause supplements
• Herbal or complementary remedies

There are some important exceptions where NHS prescribing may still be appropriate, including:

• Confirmed vitamin deficiencies
• Pregnancy-related folic acid or vitamin D requirements
• Malabsorption conditions
• Certain long-term medical conditions
• Patients with significant clinical vulnerability
• Circumstances where OTC purchase would not be clinically appropriate

Patients are encouraged to seek advice from their local pharmacist for minor illnesses and self-care treatments. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can recommend suitable treatment without the need for a GP appointment.

Many minor illnesses improve naturally with simple home management measures such as:

• Rest and hydration
• Healthy nutrition
• Steam inhalation and saline sprays
• Honey and warm drinks for sore throats and coughs
• Appropriate OTC pain relief
• Moisturising creams and skin care
• Adequate sleep and recovery time

Our reception and clinical teams may therefore advise patients to purchase suitable treatments directly from a pharmacy rather than booking a GP appointment or requesting a prescription.

We appreciate patients’ understanding and support as we continue to use NHS resources responsibly and safely in line with national guidance.