Skip to content
Search
Please enter at least 3 characters.

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

Majority of Brits neglect consistent skincare routine,  survey finds

On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Skincare: One in five Brits go to bed without washing their face daily, survey finds

Nearly two-thirds of Brits (60 per cent) neglect a consistent skincare routine,with almost one in five going to bed without washing their face daily, according to a new survey by consumer health company Kenvue.

The UK-wide survey of 2,000 people revealed that one-third of respondents (34 per cent) spend five minutes or less on their daily skincare routine. On average, Brits go to bed without washing their face twice a week.

Keep ReadingShow less
Independent Prescribing: Government aims to complete pathfinder programme evaluation by autumn 2025

Pharmacist prescribers at 210 ‘pathfinder’ sites were allowed to trial prescribing models within integrated primary care services.

Photo credit: gettyimages

Independent prescribing: Pathfinder programme evaluation to be completed by autumn, says Kinnock

Health minister Stephen Kinnock has revealed that the evaluation of the Community Pharmacy Independent Prescribing Pathfinder Programme could be completed by Autumn 2025.

Kinnock was responding to a question from James Naish, Labour MP for Rushcliffe, who asked what steps the minister was taking to ensure continued support for the Pathfinder Programme and independent prescribing to maximise direct prescribing capacity in England.

Keep ReadingShow less
New CPCF funding: “This is the best deal community pharmacy has had in a decade”

This new funding settlement marks a significant step forward in addressing the long term underinvestment in community pharmacy, says RPS England chair Tase Oputu

Pharmacy bodies hail new funding settlement as ‘best deal for community pharmacy in a decade’

Pharmacy bodies have welcomed the new funding settlement for community pharmacies, highlighting its potential to enhance patient access to care and medicines while addressing a decade of underinvestment in the sector.

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has approved a record £3.073 billion funding package for 2025/26, along with an additional £215 million to support Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
Free morning-after pill at pharmacies to end postcode lottery for patients

Pharmacy technicians will be allowed to supply of drospirenone for contraception under PGD,

gettyimages

Pharmacy contract: Free morning-after pill to be available at pharmacies soon

The UK government has announced that, for the first time ever, the ‘morning-after pill’ or emergency contraceptive pill will be available free of charge at pharmacies on the NHS, ending the postcode lottery women face in accessing the medicine and reducing inequalities.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has confirmed a record £3.073 billion funding package for community pharmacies in 2025/26, alongside an additional £215 million to sustain Pharmacy First and other Primary Care Recovery Plan services.

Keep ReadingShow less
 New CPCF arrangements: Community pharmacy secures record £617m funding boost

This record investment is a vital first step to getting community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future, says health minister Stephen Kinnock.

Photo credit: gettyimages

New CPCF arrangements: Community pharmacy secures largest funding boost in NHS

Following a six-week consultation with Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the government has committed an additional £617 million over two years to support the sector- the largest uplift in funding across the whole of the NHS.

The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) today (31) announced the funding arrangements for the Community Pharmacy Contractual Framework (CPCF) for 2024/25 and 2025/26.

Keep ReadingShow less