Influence Panel feedback

17 January 2018

National consultation on over the counter medicines – Dan Clough, senior communications and engagement officer

Attendees:

  • Nick Milne, chair
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  • Jeanie King

  • Dan Clough, facilitator (FWCCG)
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  • Jen Olivine

  • Julie Lonsdale (FWCCG)
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  • Steve Rigby

  • Judith Appleton
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  • Norma Rodgers

  • Ann Bucklow
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  • Lisa Westoby

  • Elaine Christian
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  • Roy Willetts

  • Maurice Christian
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  • Jan Tilley

  • Ian Gibson
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  • Gwen Milne

  • Andrew Jones

Dan Clough gave a brief explanation of the national consultation into ending prescriptions of a number of medicines and treatments which are available in shops and supermarkets and more suited to self-care. The group was then asked to read the consultation document to get a full understanding of what was to be discussed. Once this had taken place, Julie Lonsdale, head of medicines optimisation, joined the group to listen to the discussions and answer any questions.

Nick Milne chaired the discussions. The group agreed that they had been given enough time to read through the document and had a full understanding of what they were discussing.

Question 1: Who will be most affected by this proposal and how can we mitigate against this?

  • People who get free prescriptions will be affected.
  • Lower paid people who may not be able to afford the medicines they need.

Question 2: Are there any medicines here where prescriptions should not be taken away?

  • The panel unanimously agreed that all medicines should be removed.
  • It was noted that the exemptions listed within the consultation document were sensible.
  • The Panel expressed that they thought the consultation document had been very well done and the exemptions made a lot of sense.
  • Minor concerns were raised about medicines for children including head lice treatments where patients may not want to pay for the treatment and the lice will then spread.
  • It was noted however that the best way to treat head lice was to comb regularly.
  • Further concern was raised on whether a patient would be able to determine what their condition was in order to buy the correct treatment. One example was contact dermatitis.

Questions 3: Do you agree with the proposed policy?

  • The group unanimously supported the policy on the condition that some of the savings made were reinvested into education of GPs and public through promotional materials and training.

Other comments:

  • The patient may not actually need what they are taking as there is a poor evidence base for it.
  • If a prescription item is taken away people could go away and buy something they do not actually need.
  • There needs to be better education
  • GPs need to be educated in what to say to patients if they cannot prescribe the medications. Patients may need to be told how to look after themselves better rather than buy lots of medicines.
  • Patients need to be educated in how they should be taking medicines. Perhaps a poster campaign explaining that if they are taking self-care medications for more than three weeks they should see their doctor as there could be an underlying problem. This is particularly important with indigestion remedies as this can be a symptom of serious illness.
  • Some items such as hayfever medications differ in price significantly. Concern was raised that some pharmacists may try to sell patients the most expensive treatment.
  • Some panel members suggested savings from the project could be used to start a social fund for people who use foodbanks. It was also suggested that if people could donate items such as paracetamol to a foodbank this could help those on low incomes.