GP leaders say they have won a major concession as new rules are introduced to prevent the prescribing of medicines that are available cheaply over the counter.

The government says its controversial new guidelines will save the NHS nearly £100 million a year in prescription costs.

Its plans include preventing the “routine” prescribing of medication for self-limiting conditions, such as constipation – responsible for nearly a quarter of the projected savings.

However there will no longer be a total ban on such prescriptions.

NHS England now says that clinicians can write prescriptions for patients when they consider their ability to self-manage is “compromised” through medical, mental health or significant social vulnerability.

It will only require that GPs prescribe clinically effective items, it says.

Royal College of GPs chair Professor Helen Stokes-Lampard said: “We are very pleased that NHS England have listened to our concerns and that GPs will retain the ability to use our expert medical judgement and clinical skills to prescribe medicines that are also available to buy over the counter in certain circumstances.

“It is also welcome that limitations will not affect patients living with longer-term and more complex conditions.

“GPs will continue to encourage patients who can afford to buy medication over the counter to do so, and advocate self-care for many minor, self-limiting conditions for which patients don’t often need to seek medical assistance, or obtain prescribed medication.”

Dr Graham Jackson, co-chair of NHS Clinical Commissioners, said: “On a daily basis, CCGs are forced to make difficult decisions that balance the needs of the individual against those of their entire local population.

“We recognise that it may be difficult for some patients who have previously been prescribed these products, but it is right that we prioritise our spending on those that provide the best outcomes for patients. This new guidance provides clear direction to CCGs on where those priorities should lie.”

Matina Loizou, co-chair of the Prescription Charges Coalition, said:
“NHS England has made some positive changes to their original proposal, including exempting vulnerable people. However, there are much bigger issues that need to be addressed here including how confusing this is going to be for people who are exempt from paying for prescriptions but won’t necessarily qualify for this.

“Added to this, the overall saving for the NHS as a result of these changes will merely be a drop in the ocean.”

She added: “The list is so arbitrary and leaves people with long-term conditions like Parkinson’s having to choose between eating and picking up their prescription.”