You may find these questions and answers on the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Conditions for which over the counter items should not routinely be prescribed in primary care policy useful.

You may still be prescribed a medicine for a condition on the list if:

  • You need treatment for a long-term condition, e.g. regular pain relief for chronic arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
  • You need treatment for more complex forms of minor illnesses, e.g. migraines that are very bad and where over the counter medicines do not work.
  • You need an over the counter medicine to treat a side effect of a prescription medicine or symptom of another illness, e.g. constipation when taking certain painkillers.
  • The medicine has a licence which doesn’t allow the product to be sold over the counter to certain groups of patients. This could include babies, children or women who are pregnant or breast-feeding.
  • The person prescribing thinks that a patient cannot treat themselves, for example because of mental health problems or severe social vulnerability. The policy applies to everyone. However, there are a range of exceptions included within it.

Specific exceptions to the policy:

  • A small number of conditions have extra exceptions included in the policy, meaning they may be prescribed in some other circumstances.
  • Some vitamins, minerals and probiotics may be prescribed in specific conditions. Other than for these conditions, vitamins, minerals or probiotics should not routinely be prescribed. The general exceptions do not apply to these products.

There are a number of exceptions in the  policy. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

Age is not an exception to the  policy. However, you may meet one of the exception criteria in the policy. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

There are a number of exceptions in the  policy, which include treatment for long-term conditions. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

Exemption from prescription charges is not an exception to the policy. However, you may meet one of the exemption criteria in the policy. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

Some medicines can only be bought over the counter if the patient meets certain criteria. Please talk to your pharmacist and ask if this applies to you. If it does, the situation is covered by one of the exception criteria. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

Yes. Please ask your child’s school or nursery for an Administration of OTC medicines consent form. Further information is available by reading Administration of medicines in schools and early years settings guidance.

Yes. Pharmacists are highly trained healthcare professionals who can provide advice on all aspects of medicines use.

There are lots of pharmacies in Birmingham and Solihull, many of which are open at weekends and late into the evening - you can find your nearest one here. If you have limited mobility, it may be possible to ask a friend or family member to buy routine over the counter medicines on your behalf.

If you are fully house-bound and have no other way of receiving the treatment you need, you may meet one of the exemption criteria in the policy. See Are there exceptions to the policy? for more details.

Yes, all local NHS services should be supporting the policy. We are advising people with the minor conditions listed in this policy to visit their local pharmacy for advice. Please do not attend out of hours or A&E services to get over the counter medicines. Dentists and optometrists (opticians) have also been informed about the policy.

You can contact the Complaints Team at NHS Birmingham and Solihull by:

  • Calling 0121 203 3313
  • Emailing bsol.complaints@nhs.net
  • Write to:  NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board, Patient Experience and Complaints Team, Alpha Tower, 8th Floor, Suffolk Street Queensway, Birmingham, B1 1TT

More information is available on our Compliments, Concerns and Complaints page.