RESTRICTIONS on prescribing over the counter treatments and medicines will be introduced in Blackburn with Darwen next week.

The scheme, which is for short-term minor conditions, has been approved by health experts and is expected to save a lot of money.

The Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group currently spends more than £663,000 a year on NHS prescriptions for medicines that are widely available over the counter at a low cost price or more cheaply than by prescription.

The CCG’s move follows a nine-week consultation earlier this year.

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It will implement the new arrangements from Monday after receiving overwhelming support from patients and the public. The restrictions will also apply when there is insufficient evidence that they improve symptoms or where they do not offer value for money.

Dr Preeti Shukla, clinical lead at Blackburn with Darwen CCG, said: “The outcome of our engagement was extremely positive and we are most confident that we have made the right decision.

“It is important to note that these restrictions are in place only for patients with short-term and minor medical ailments.”

The CCG wants to encourage people to ‘self-care’, which means people take more responsibility for their own health and wellbeing where they can.

A spokesman for the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group, which covers the rest of East Lancashire, said it was carrying out a similar consultation.

The spokesman said: “The results would need to be considered before any decisions are made.”