Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Report: Usage of more OTC medicines could save NHS £1.7 billion annually

Approximately 25 million GP appointments and 5 million A&E visits are utilised each year for self-treatable illnesses. If these individuals chose to self-treat using over-the-counter (OTC) medications, the potential savings for NHS could amount to at least £1.7 billion annually, according to a research commissioned by Proprietary Association of Great Britain.

The study, conducted by analysts at Frontier Economics, revealed that embracing self-care could bring an additional economic benefit of £350 million annually, as employees would avoid unnecessary time off from work for medical appointments.


Apart from the savings resulting from the increased OTC medicine use, the report emphasises the potential benefits of reclassifying more prescription-only medications (POMs). A mere 5 per cent reduction in NHS prescribing levels and spending could lead to an annual cost-saving of £1.4 billion, encompassing both prescription costs and GP appointments, it said.

“This substantial amount could greatly alleviate financial pressures on the NHS and offer essential resources for recruiting and training much-needed healthcare professionals.”

PAGB, the representative body for OTC medication manufacturers, emphasises the significance of promoting self-care for common ailments and minor injuries.

“Around 92 per cent of the UK population, that’s 61 million people, use OTCs each year to treat self-treatable conditions, saving the NHS vast sums of money and resource,” said Michelle Riddalls, CEO of PAGB. “We know that the NHS is struggling and as this report clearly demonstrates, if policymakers were to truly embrace the opportunities presented by self-care, the NHS could save an additional £3.1 billion. These vast sums could be saved through greater use of existing OTCs (£1.7 billion) combined with further reclassification of prescription-only medicines (£1.4 billion).”

The report underscores the economic and social advantages of OTC medicines. “With an impressive £8.40 return for every £1 spent on OTCs, the ‘well-being savings’ total a substantial £14.9 billion annually.”

According to the report, these savings stem from avoided work absence, totalling £18 billion and £6.4 billion in NHS prescription and appointment cost savings, respectively. “Additionally, consumers enjoy an estimated £15 billion ‘quality of life benefit’ each year, demonstrating the positive impact of self-care and OTC medicine use on overall well-being.”

However, the report acknowledges that the extent of this increase depends on various factors, including demand, unit costs, patient willingness to switch from prescriptions, and changes in prescribing practices.

In 2022, PAGB members manufactured approximately £4.3 billion worth of OTCs in the UK and exported £2.8 billion worth of OTCs worldwide.

Meanwhile, a recent report by Tony Blair Institute proposes facilitating healthcare provision in pharmacies and other spaces to bring services closer to patients and reduce demands on general practice. The paper 'Modern and Sustainable NHS Providing Accessible and Personalised Care for All' outlines six areas for reform, aiming to transform the future of the NHS and improve patient care.

More For You

Kinnock highlights employers’ role in making community pharmacy jobs attractive

The new funding uplift our commitment to rebuilding the sector: Kinnock

Kinnock: ‘Employers have a key role in making community pharmacy jobs attractive’

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has emphasised that employers have a crucial role to play in retaining staff and making careers in community pharmacy more attractive.

His comments came in response to a written question from Victoria Collins MP, the Liberal Democrat spokesperson for science and technology, who asked what steps the Department of Health and Social Care is taking to address staff shortages and prevent the closure of local pharmacies.

Keep ReadingShow less
MHRA approves Pfizer Hympavzi (marstacimab) for haemophilia treatment

Marstacimab is currently being assessed by NICE and the Scottish Medicines Consortium for use on the NHS

gettyimages

Marstacimab approved for haemophilia treatment, Pfizer aims for NHS availability

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved Hympavzi(marstacimab) to prevent or reduce bleeding in patients aged 12 years and older, weighing at least 35kg, who have severe haemophilia A or B.

Developed by Pfizer scientists, this groundbreaking treatment is the first of its kind to target a protein involved in the blood clotting process.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Pope Francis

Pope Francis at the Vatican on December 4, 2024.

Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE/AFP via Getty Images

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj offers condolences to Catholic community following Pope Francis' passing

His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj, the spiritual leader and president of the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS), has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Catholic community worldwide following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday.

In a formal letter addressed to the members of the Roman Catholic Church, Mahant Swami Maharaj conveyed the deep sorrow of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu fellowship, acknowledging the Pope's passing as “a profound loss to the Catholic community and Christians around the world.”

Keep ReadingShow less
Pharmacies in Northern Ireland distribute free booklets to raise cancer awareness

Dr Anna Cullen, Public Health Registrar at the Public Health Agency and Clare Conroy, Community Pharmacist from Meigh Pharmacy in Co Down.

Photo credit: Community Pharmacy Northern Ireland

Pharmacies in Northern Ireland help raise cancer awareness

Community pharmacies across Northern Ireland are distributing a free information booklet to help raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of cancer and promote early diagnosis.

The initiative is part of the ‘Be Cancer Aware’ campaign, which has been running in pharmacies since April and will continue through May as part of the Living Well service.

Keep ReadingShow less
CPE invites pharmacy owners to share their views on new CPCF funding settlement

What do you think should be the next priority for the Government?

gettyimages

Pharmacy owners asked to share their views on new CPCF arrangements

Community Pharmacy England (CPE) is urging pharmacy owners to share their views on the new Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) funding settlement ahead of its next full Committee meeting, scheduled for 30 April–1 May.

The Committee said it had agreed to the settlement "reluctantly," acknowledging that it represents a significant shift after years of real-terms funding cuts, while admitting that it’s “still not sufficient to match the continued scale of pressures facing pharmacy businesses.”

Keep ReadingShow less