Introduction
For more information on medicines optimisation, please refer to the information for patient guidance produced by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE):
For information on a medicine and the condition it treats, please refer to the NHS website:
To find information on NHS prescription charges please refer to the NHS website:
To check if you are eligible for free prescriptions, please refer to the NHS website:
To find information on how to order a repeat prescription, please refer to the NHS website:
What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to medicines, making infections harder to treat and increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death.
By using antibiotics responsibly, we can help prevent the spread of AMR and protect future health.
How Can the Public Help?
You can play an important role in tackling AMR by:
- Learning more about AMR and its impact. Visit the Antibiotic Guardian website for more information
- Discussing AMR and concerns about antibiotic use with your doctor, nurse, practice pharmacist, or community pharmacist
- Sharing information about AMR with your family, friends, and community.
You can also watch a short video animation here to learn more about AMR and how we can all make a difference.
Together, We Can Help Keep Antibiotics Working
By using antibiotics responsibly and making informed choices, we can preserve the effectiveness of these life-saving medicines for future generations.
Over The Counter (OTC) & Self Care Medicines
Did you know that over the last112 months, North West London prescribed in the region of £20 million worth of medicines available to buy in a pharmacy or supermarket.
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NHS North West London does not support the routine prescribing of health supplements and medications that can be easily obtained over the counter for minor conditions, self-limiting illnesses, and short-term ailments. This is in line with NHS England's 'Guidance on conditions for which over-the-counter items should not routinely be prescribed in primary care'.
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For further information please refer to NHS England » Prescribing of over the counter medicines is changing patient leaflets.
In addition to national exceptions listed on the leaflet, the following local exceptions will continue to apply in the following scenarios:
- Medicines that need to be given at school
- Care home residents
- Individuals with funded care packages
- Patients who require a carer to administer a medicine or product
- Anyone officially declared homeless
- People with a diagnosis of dementia or learning disability
References:
1 NHSBSA OTC Prescribing Dashboard March 2023 - February 2024
2 Exceptions apply