Nhs Prescriptions

[maggiebee]

Following on from the ongoing poll about prescriptions, this article was in our local paper today.

NHS Tayside is spending more than £1 million each year on prescribing “everyday” drugs such as paracetamol, new figures have revealed.

Information obtained by the Tele showed that between April 2013 and January 2017 the health board spent more than £5.3m on prescribing paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen to patients.

Just over half of the 1.6m prescriptions issued were for paracetamol, 36% were for aspirin and the remaining 13% were for ibuprofen.

In all, the board spent at least £1.3m each year from 2013/14 to 2015/16, and the most recent figure showed it had spent £1.1m in 2016/17.

Paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin are available in most pharmacies and supermarkets for as little as 20p.

I must admit I hadn't realised just how much was prescribed. I also realise that in some cases the doses required may not be available over the counter. Still a staggering, IMO, waste of money in most cases.

[marval]

I agree Maggie, a total waste of money. I am sure my doctor would tell me to buy my own.

[Islay]

After my recent operation I was prescribed soluble paracetamol and multivitamins, I was going to buy my own but apparently the prescription strength ones are stronger!

[Jackdaw33]

The problem is that those who qualify for free prescriptions would rather do that than part with 20p. To my mind medicines which can be bought for less than the standard prescription charge should not be available on prescription except in cases of genuine hardship. The complicating factor is of course that prescriptions are free in Scotland and Wales whilst they are over £8 per item in England.

[Islay]

They are also free in Northern Ireland thankfully

[Mamyalynne]

Not too long ago I was crippled in pain and totally housebound - on a combination of paracetamol/ibuprofen/co codamol and tramadol.


I accepted the prescription as it was the only way to cope, now things are less acute I buy my own Paras and ibus.

[Jackdaw33]

Just noticed you mentioned aspirin. You never seem to see them around these days. At one time no medicine cupboard was complete without a bottle of aspirin.

[bhg481]

Plenty of aspirin in the big supermarkets, Jackdaw, both soluble and normal. It's all we ever use.

[hc4361]

That must have been a huge amount of paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen - dirt cheap in the shops, much cheaper for the NHS