Row over 'Bonjela prescriptions'

Conservatives complain about GP prescribing everyday medicines

A row has flared over GPs in Wales prescribing over-the-counter products such as Bonjela and Vaseline.

Tories said they had feared the system would be "abused" when £3 prescription fees were abolished in Wales in April.

Tory Jonathan Morgan said people would be astonished that GPs were prescribing items that could be easily bought.

But chemists pointed out it went on before charges were scrapped, and the Welsh Assembly Government said GPs had discretion to prescribe how they liked.

Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses Jonathan Morgan AM, Conservative

Before free prescriptions, 90% were dispensed to people who did not have to pay, according to the Community Pharmacy Wales, which represents chemists.

It said there had been an increase in prescriptions for April, but the data was "unreliable as a single figure".

However, Tory health spokesman Mr Morgan said prescribing everyday medicines "was exactly the sort of abuse we warned against when charges were abolished".

The Cardiff North AM said: "There is no reason why doctors should be prescribing something like Bonjela [for mouth ailments such as ulcers] or Vaseline when it is readily available over the counter.

"Prescriptions should be used for the drugs patients need to combat viruses or nasty illnesses."

The Western Mail newspaper claimed that other medicines prescribed included heartburn drug Gaviscon, and child pain-relievers Calpol and Nurofen.

Mr Morgan said the policy had to be "properly monitored, levels of medicines wastage assessed, and patients made aware of their responsibilities."

If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol Dr David Bailey

David Bailey, chairman of the BMA's GP committee for Wales, said he did not believe abolition of charges would see an increase in GPs prescribing such items.

'Low users'

He said most people - including those on low incomes and children - had already been eligible for free prescriptions before April.

Dr Bailey said those who now have free prescriptions were between 25-60, usually with reasonable incomes, and traditionally low users of the NHS.

He said they were unlikely to visit their GPs and wait in a waiting room for something they could easily buy over the counter.

"If you're in the workplace earning £30 an hour, you're not going to take time off to get a 99p bottle of paracetamol," he said.

The Board of Community Health Councils in Wales said abolishing charges had removed "unfairness" and ensured anyone needing medication would get it.

It said: "It must be remembered that the majority of individuals between the ages of 25 and 60 are, fortunately, fit and healthy, visit their doctor infrequently."

It said their impact on free prescriptions would be "minimal".

The Welsh Assembly Government said it was too early to assess if prescribing patterns had changed, but when evidence was available it would be assessed.

A spokesman said: "GPs have always been able to prescribe drugs which are available over the counter and will use their clinical judgement as to when this is necessary.

"The introduction of free prescriptions has not affected this GP discretion in any way."