Proposed changes to Prescriptions and Medicines in Sandwell and West Birmingham

From Sandwell and West Birmingham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Share your views on the latest consultation which proposes changes to the way medicine is prescribed by GPs in Sandwell and West Birmingham. The consultation runs from the 23rd March – 15th June 2017.

Proposals include changing the way GPs are asked to prescribe certain medicines for short-term, minor conditions or where there is no clear health benefit for patients. For example, for medicines to treat minor conditions like coughs and sore throats, you do not always need to visit your GP as these can be bought over the counter from your local community pharmacist.
The items reviewed are either:

• widely available over the counter (in local pharmacies or local shops) at  a retail price that is lower than the NHS prescription charge (currently £8.40 per item)
• for conditions that there is no clinical need to treat
• supported by insufficient evidence of clinical benefit or cost effectiveness.

Find out more about the consultation, including accessing consultation documents via the CCG’s website here

Have your say 

• By completing the survey online: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/L2PWXH3
• By attending public consultation sessions across Birmingham on the 13th June, 14th June, 22nd June, 29th June. More information can be found on their website or via Healthwatch Birmingham’s events calendar.

If you would like to leave feedback about the issues being consulted on you can do so my getting in touch with Healthwatch Birmingham. You can email us at info@healthwatchbirmingham.co.uk or call us on 0800 652 5278.