In a support alert published on its website yesterday (August 23), the RPS said that “some CCGs” are looking to reduce the routine prescribing of medicines that have been assessed to be of “low clinical value” or that are “readily available for OTC purchase”.

"This may mean more people visiting the pharmacy, more frequently, or sometimes for larger quantities of these medicines and healthcare products," the RPS said.

In July, NHS England launched a public consultation on whether 18 products and services – including homeopathy and herbal medicines – should be scrapped from prescriptions. The results of the consultation will influence the approach of CCGs across England, the commissioner said.

However, the RPS stressed that if a pharmacist believes a medicine or healthcare product should be prescribed rather than sold over the counter, they should “discuss this with the general practice”.

The RPS also advised about the quantity of certain medicines – such as paracetamol – that can be legally sold without a prescription.

“You can use professional judgement to decide the appropriate quantity to supply within the legal framework, taking into account best practice and the case-by-case circumstances,” it said.

“It could be useful to check if your CCG has published their prescribing policy online,” the RPS added.

Supporting a self-care agenda

C+D reported last week that Dudley CCG had stopped the routine prescribing of “self-care medicines” – including paracetamol and headlice lotion – and is encouraging patients to “buy these [medicines] over the counter at your local pharmacy”.

Meanwhile, North Cumbria CCG told C+D on Tuesday (August 22) that it had adopted a similar approach (see poster above).

While the CCG “has not stopped the prescribing of paracetamol”, it “does support a self-care agenda, which encourages patients to purchase medications – such as paracetamol and antihistamines – themselves”, a spokesperson said.

For chronic conditions, “patients are still able to get prescriptions from their GP”, but for acute or minor illnesses, they are being encouraged to purchase medicines themselves, the CCG explained.

In June, C+D hosted a roundtable event to discuss plans to scrap certain drugs and services from prescriptions. During the debate, RPS English pharmacy board chair Sandra Gidley said pharmacists should not be expected to deliver "unpleasant messages" to patients regarding prescribing restrictions. 

Listen to the debate in full below: