Clinical leads from NHS England Lancashire and South Cumbria are calling on local people to respond to a national consultation on guidelines for cutting out prescriptions for ineffective, over-priced and low value treatments.

If approved, the new guidelines could see a halt to 18 treatments being routinely prescribed by GPs which nationally currently cost the taxpayer £141 million a year.  These items are readily available and sold ‘over the counter’ in pharmacies, supermarkets, petrol stations, corner shops and other retailers, often at a significantly lower price than the cost to the NHS.

NHS England is working with local Clinical Commissioning Groups to promote the public consultation.

Dr Kieran Murphy is Medical Director and Dr Angela Manning is Deputy Medical Director for NHS England, Lancashire and South Cumbria.  Dr Murphy said:  “Our CCGs across Lancashire and South Cumbria spend a significant amount each year on prescribing in primary care.  We need to have an honest conversation with the public, patients and clinicians on what the NHS should provide and this consultation around the medicines spend – an area with the potential to unlock huge resource – is an important part of that.”

Dr Manning added: “We need to find funding for new, highly effective drugs and so it’s important that ensure every pound is spent wisely.  We now hope to hear from as many people and organisations as possible so that the final guidance can properly take these views into account and result in our member CCGs being given national support in prioritising medicines and services that makes the best use of the NHS pound.”

Any savings from implementing the proposals will be reinvested locally by Clinical Commissioning Groups.

The consultation finishes on 21 October.