Prescribed paracetamol cost Lincolnshire East CCG '˜almost half a million pounds' last year

Residents are being asked to think twice before requesting paracetamol from their GP, after the Lincolnshire East Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) revealed that they spent £446,000 on all prescribed paracetamol last year.
NHSNHS
NHS

Across the whole of Lincolnshire, the amount spent was in excess of £1.2m last year.

Patients are being asked to reconsider before they request paracetamol tablets on prescription for short-term conditions such as colds, flu, headaches and other aches and pains.

The CCG said that every home should have a medicines cabinet stocked with low-cost generic treatments that can be used for the short-term relief of common conditions - adding that a standard box of paracetamol 500mg tablets can cost less than 30p from a supermarket or pharmacy.

Many people are prescribed regular paracetamol up to a maximum of four times daily to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief for long-term conditions, such as arthritis. This is entirely appropriate, and it is not the intention to prevent those people from continuing to receive prescriptions for paracetamol on the NHS. However, patients in East Lincolnshire are being asked not to expect paracetamol to be prescribed for short-term use for minor conditions.

Dr Peter Holmes, GP and Chair of NHS Lincolnshire East CCG, explained: “At a time when the NHS is facing huge financial pressures, providing small quantities of these painkillers on prescription is not an effective use of funds.

“Every time a doctor writes a prescription, the NHS incurs additional charges through dispensing and administrative fees, and if GP time is also included the cost rises even higher.

“These painkillers can be bought from a shop or pharmacy for far less than the price the NHS pays when providing them on prescription. For that reason, we’re asking people to make this choice.

“By doing so, they will help us save money that can be spent locally providing care for our patients in East Lincolnshire.