Information from: Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent ICB
Over the Counter Medication
Some medicines and vitamins are no longer routinely prescribed by your GP. These are items which can be bought quickly and easily without needing a prescription, such as paracetamol and certain vitamins.
You don’t need to spend lots of money on the expensive brands, as a pharmacy or supermarket’s own-brand medicines and vitamins are just as effective and can cost a fraction of the price. They also usually have the same ingredients. It’s really easy to stock up your medicine cabinet, which will help you stay well or get better sooner, for less than £10.
There are plenty of community pharmacies across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent, and you can find your nearest on the NHS website. Many community pharmacies have longer opening hours, staying open later in the evenings and at weekends. If you think you need vitamins, medicine, creams for dry skin or drops/ointment for dry eyes, you can ask the pharmacist for advice on what to buy.
If you cannot get to a local pharmacy, it’s really easy to pick these up while doing your weekly food shop, whether that’s shopping online or visiting a supermarket. You can add medicines and vitamins to your shopping trolley and ensure that you are ready for any minor illness or allergy. If you cannot get out to do your shopping, ask your friends, family members or carer to pick some of these items up for you when they get your other shopping.
For more information on where to get medicines, creams, drops and vitamins that are no longer routinely prescribed by your GP, see below. Through this link you can also find a number of resources and images to help share this important message.