Following a public consultation across Hertfordshire, we will no longer routinely write prescriptions for medicines you can buy yourself.
You can buy treatments and get advice on minor illnesses and short-term conditions from your local pharmacist, who has the clinical expertise to help you to manage your symptoms.
Please do not ask your GP or nurse to prescribe these items:
- Acne creams (mild) and washes
- Antifungal treatments for athlete’s foot and nail infections
- Antifungal treatments for thrush, e.g. Canesten®
- Antihistamines, nasal sprays and eye drops to treat allergies or hay fever
- Antiperspirants
- Barrier creams, e.g. for nappy rash
- Bath oils and shower gels
- Cold sore treatments
- Colic treatments for infants, e.g. Infacol® and gripe water
- Cough, cold and sore throat treatments
- Dental products e.g. toothpastes, mouthwashes, gargles and teething gel
- Diarrhoea treatment (short-term)
- Earwax removers and softeners
- Haemorrhoid treatments
- Head lice treatments
- Indigestion treatments, e.g. antacids, Gaviscon®, Peptac®, ranitidine, omeprazole
- Laxatives for short-term use (less than 72 hours)
- Moisturising creams, gels and ointments for dry skin conditions with no diagnosis
- Painkillers and pain rubs for short-term use, including paracetamol, ibuprofen, Calpol®
- Prescribed foods outside agreed guidelines, e.g. some formula milks for children aged over 2 years old
- Probiotics
- Shampoos, e.g. for dandruff
- Sun creams
- Threadworm tablets
- Travel sickness medicine
- Vitamins and mineral supplements
- Wart and verrucae treatments