Health professionals in Warrington are no longer able to prescribe additional medications for short term minor health problems, unless there is a specialist clinical need or for certain other exemptions.

This includes:

  • Medicines and treatments that are available to purchase over-the-counter, used for the treatment of minor, short-term medical conditions
  • Medicines and treatments where there is limited evidence of clinical benefit or cost-effectiveness
  • Medicines and treatments that are prescribed to treat conditions where there is no clinical need for treatment

Such as:

  • Pain killers for minor aches and pains
  • Tonics, vitamins and health supplements
  • Ear wax removers
  • Lozenges, throat sprays, mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes
  • Indigestion remedies for occasional use
  • Creams for bruising, tattoos, and scars
  • Hair removal creams
  • Moisturisers and bath additives for dry skin
  • Sun creams
  • Foods and food supplements
  • Pain relief cream/ointment for short-term use
  • Oral antihistamines for hay fever
  • Decongestant nasal sprays and tablets
  • Teething gels and mouth ulcer treatments
  • Vaginal moisturisers (for example lubricant gels and creams)
  • Warts and verrucae paints
  • Heparinoid gel/cream
  • Antiperspirants
  • Antifungal treatments (for example for athletes foot)
  • Treatments for bites and stings
  • Treatments for cold sores
  • Antibacterial eye drops
  • Treatment for diarrhoea
  • Head lice treatments
  • Treatments for infant colic
  • Creams/ointments for nappy rash
  • Threadworm treatments
  • Treatments for vaginal thrush
  • Haemorrhoids treatment
  • Cough preparations
  • Eye care products (for example blepharitis wipes)
  • Probiotics
  • Treatments for mild acne
  • Dandruff and cradle cap treatments
  • Baby milks (unless a clinical need for a specialist milk)

For further information, about how you can be prepared to self-care at home for minor ailments, please visit: NHS Halton and Warrington Clinical Commissioning Groups

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