Over the Counter Medications

Medications for Minor Health Conditions

Your GP, nurse or pharmacist will not generally give you a prescription for over the counter medicines for a range of minor health concerns.

Instead, over the counter medicines are available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket in your local community.

The team of health professionals at your local pharmacy can offer help and clinical advice to manage minor health concerns.

If your symptoms suggest it’s more serious, they’ll ensure you get the care you need.

Please help the NHS to use resources sensibly. For more information, click here.

What antibiotics can a Pharmacist prescribe?

The pharmacist is able to advise on minor illnesses and additionally can prescribe antibiotics if necessary without you having to see a GP

You can get antibiotics from your pharmacist for the following conditions:

• simple Urinary Tract Infection in women (16-64 years) (Nitrofurantoin)
• Conjunctivitis (chloramphenicol)
• Impetigo (fucidic acid)
• Infected nappy rash
• Oral thrush (nystatin)
• Shingles (18+ years)
• Infected insect bites (1+years)
• Acute sore throats (5+ years)
• Acute sinusitis (12+ years)
• Acute ear infections (1-17 years)

There will be no charge if you have a medical exemption and a standard prescription charge if you don’t.

How pharmacies can help – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Why should we support the NHS?

The NHS has been spending around £136 million a year on prescriptions for medicines that can be bought from a pharmacy or supermarket, such as paracetamol.