NHS cracks down on low-priority prescriptions

Officials are proposing ending the routine prescription of eight items under plans aimed at saving £68m a year.

A new NHS report has named medicines set to be subject to cutbacks, which have been proven to be ineffective or in some cases dangerous, and for which there are other more effective, safer or cheaper alternatives.

The prescriptions being culled include acne medicine Minocycline, silk garments for eczema and dermatitis, bath and shower emollients for eczema and needles for pre-filled and reusable insulin pens; all of which are deemed clinically ineffective or can be found at a cheaper cost.

This cutback isn't the first of its kind for the NHS, who in April this year published guidelines to free up to almost £100 million for frontline care every year by culling prescriptions of ‘low-value’ over the counter medicines. It previously ordered an end to the routine prescribing of 18 low-value items, including homeopathy treatments, paracetamol and cough medicines.

The NHS currently spends more than £173 million on blood glucose testing strips for type 2 diabetes annually, one of the prescriptions they're looking to cull due to cheaper alternatives being available.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens said: "The NHS is one of the most efficient health services in the world but, as part of the long-term plan for the NHS, we're determined to make taxpayers' money go further and drive savings back into front-line care.

He continued "It is essential the NHS should not be paying for anything which has been proven to be ineffective or where there are safer or cheaper alternatives."

NHS England said it would also publish updated guidance on prescribing of non-essential gluten-free foods such as pizza and cakes today, following the Department of Health and Social Care's decision to limit prescriptions to just bread and flour mixes.

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