NHS announces major change on how you get the Pill and antibiotics

From next month, women will be able get the Pill for free on the NHS from a pharmacy without a prescription.

In addition, antibiotics for common diseases will be distributed at high-street stores in the New Year.

It is envisaged that reducing NHS red tape to allow chemists to treat common ailments could save 10 million GP appointments per year.

The plans were announced in May of this year and will be implemented within the next several weeks.

“It is critical that we use the skills and convenience of community pharmacies to make it as easy as possible for people to get the help they need,” said NHS England chief executive Amanda Pritchard.

Every year, more than seven million contraceptive pill prescriptions are issued in England.

From December women will no longer need to see a GP to get their free supply.

And from January, medication for sinusitis, sore throat, earache, infected insect bites, impetigo, shingles, and urine infections will also be available without a doctor’s note.

Pharmacists will also ramp up high street blood pressure checks to carry out 2.5million per year by 2025.

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