Self-care with OTC medicines could save NHS £1.7bn annually, says PAGB report

PAGB emphasises the need to agree on a long-term funding settlement for community pharmacy to ensure patient access to and advice on OTC medicines

A PAGB report has emphasised the need to empower the public to practice self-care and improve access to over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to alleviate pressure on GPs and reduce NHS costs.

Launched at the Labour Party Conference today, the PAGB’s State of the Nation report explores the current state of self-care and OTC medicines.

The report outlines 11 recommendations for the government to consider as part of its strategy to build an NHS fit for the future.

It highlights that each year, at least 25 million GP appointments and 5 million A&E visits are used for self-treatable illnesses, which can be effectively managed through self-care.

The report suggests that empowering individuals to utilise OTC medicines could save the NHS at least £1.7 billion per year in costs.

Furthermore, it says that eliminating these appointments could save the economy an additional £350m per year, as employees would not need to take time off work for unnecessary treatments.

PAGB welcomed the government’s manifesto commitments to take pressure off GP surgeries by “improving access to services and treatment through new routes” and to expand the role of pharmacists.

The association also expressed approval for the recognition of self-care and pharmacy in the recent report from Lord Darzi’s investigation of NHS England.

“As the new Government reflects on the review and sets out its plans to deliver on these commitments and fix the “broken” NHS – including through the development of the 10-year plan – it is vital that policies to widen access to OTC medicines and empower people to self-care are prioritised,” it said.

PAGB acknowledged that there has been a notable shift in policy towards enhancing the role of pharmacy, expanding access to OTC medicines and encouraging self-care, but  noted “there is still work to be done.”

The association stressed the need to maintain this momentum and ensure people are empowered and supported to access “the right care, in the right place and at the right time.”

The report calls on the government to launch a dedicated self-care ‘hub’ on the NHS App and website - utilising support from industry.

It also recommends that the government support the recent proposal to include self-care for minor ailments and the role of pharmacists as knowledgeable healthcare professionals in the relationships, sex, and health education curriculum by the end of secondary school.

Additionally, it urges the government to collaborate with the Reclassification Alliance to explore opportunities for expanding the use of 25 OTC products over the next five years.

PAGB also emphasised the need to agree on a long-term funding settlement for community pharmacy that reflects its role in supporting NHS delivery and ensures patient access to and advice on OTC medicines.

PAGB’s recommendations for the government to action also include:

• Re-evaluating the restrictive criteria for switching a POM to OTC to allow timely access to effective treatments (e.g. injectables to treat life-threatening allergic reactions)
• Implement policies to incentivise the OTC sector to reclassify their products in the UK
• Fostering open and collaborative relationships with industry, ensuring the UK remains an attractive hub for OTC innovation
• Including OTC products in innovative schemes to encourage access to medicine
• Optimising grant and funding opportunities for small and medium OTC sector businesses

The association noted that the report has been developed to support the government in shaping policy around self-care and access to OTC medicines.