NHS England has proposed taking eight items off the NHS prescription list under plans aimed at saving £68m a year.
The items, which officals say are of ‘low clinical effectiveness’ and have cheaper options available. These Include:
- Silk garments for eczema and dermatitis
- Aliskiren used to treat blood pressure
- Amiodarone to treat abnormal heart rhythms
- Bath and shower emollient preparations - to treat eczema and dermatitis
- Dronedarone to treat the heart condition atrial fibrillation
- Minocycline to treat acne
‘The NHS is one of the most efficient health services in the world but, as part of the long-term plan for the NHS, we're determined to make taxpayers' money go further and drive savings back into front-line care,’ said NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens.
Additionally Needles for pre-filled and reusable insulin pens - for type-1 and type-2 diabetes will be phased out. The NHS spends more than £1.2m a year on prescriptions for silk garments, which have not been proven to be clinically effective. For diabetes testing strips, needles and pens, NHS ENgland are proposing that GPs prescribe more cost-effective alternatives rather than scrapping them.
"It is essential the NHS should not be paying for anything which has been proven to be ineffective or where there are safer or cheaper alternatives,’ added Mr Stevens.