Changes to Products available on Prescription

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After careful consultation with the Public, NHS Calderdale CCG has recommended that Practices stop routinely prescribing branded medicines and a number of lower value, self-care products, which are widely available to buy without prescription from pharmacies and supermarkets. The Practices in North Halifax are all working to stop prescribing items commonly available in supermarkets and pharmacies such as:

  • Baby Milks
  • Infant Colic products
  • Vitamin supplements
  • Emollients (moisturisers) for minor dry skin conditions
  • Cosmetic products e.g. facial hair products
  • Antifungal nail paints
  • Sunscreen products

Increasing demand for NHS Services as well as the effects of national austerity measures, means that the organisation must make difficult, but clinically-led decisions to ensure that the money available can meet the needs of people in Calderdale. 

By not routinely prescribing these self care treatments, the NHS in Calderdale could save £300,000 each year, while £100,000 is spent every year on prescribing branded medicines without a medical reason, where a non-branded (generic) medicine containing the same active ingredient would be as effective. 

The decision has been made following public opinion and feedback gathered in the CCG’s public consultation: Changing the way we prescribe in Calderdale. This ran from 16th October 2017-4th December 2017.

There are some exceptions whereby we can still prescribe lower value products. For more information click this link: Prescribing in Calderdale | Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

Click the links below for more information.

For an advice leaflet, please click this link: Advice For Patients Changes to Prescribing of Self-care Treatments and Branded Medicines