GP prescriptions: ‘We must not put health of the vulnerable at risk’

Should the NHS spend £114 million a year on prescriptions for medicines for upset tummies, haemorrhoids, travel sickness and indigestion which can be bought cheaper over the counter?

The head of the NHS in England Simon Stevens will unveil a review of his five year plan for the health service this week which looks at ways of cutting spending. The measure could also stop prescriptions for gluten-free food which can be bought at supermarkets.

Professor Helen Stokes Lampard is chair of the Royal College of GPs. She told the Today programme GPs need to start having conversations with patients about how they pay for their prescriptions.