PARACETAMOL prescriptions for mild migraines could be cut under new NHS plans.

NHS England want to stop GPs from prescribing over-the-counter medicines for “self-limiting” conditions like coughs and colds that will heal of their own accord or can be treated by the poorly person.

They say the plans could help save the NHS £190 million each year. They will consult on the proposals in the new year.

Swindon health chiefs said that they looked forward to reading full details on the proposals.

Currently, Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group spends around £1.3m every year on “self-care” items like paracetamol.

The proposed NHS consultation, which was discussed at a meeting of NHS England’s board last week, will focus on over-the-counter medicines that are cheaper for people to buy themselves.

Medicines in the firing line would be those used to treat 36 “self-limiting” conditions or those that can be better treated by the patient themselves.

The conditions include mild migraines, earwax, mild acne and cold sores.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens, said: “The NHS should not be paying for low value treatments and it’s right that we look at reducing prescriptions for medicines that patients can buy for a fraction of the price the NHS pays.”

He pointed to prescription paracetamol, which can cost the NHS £34 for 32 tablets – 35 times the cost of the same number of pills bought over the counter at Boots.

Paul Clarke, associate director of medicines optimisation at Swindon CCG, said: “The CCG does not yet have the full details of the proposed consultation, so would await the details before commenting on specifics.

“The spend on proposed ‘self-care’ items is about £1.3 million per year for Swindon CCG and we would therefore welcome the prospect of a national consultation to guide us on the appropriateness of this. We will engage with the public as part of the consultation process.”

The planned consultation was announced as NHS England revealed new guidance health commissioners about treatments that would no longer be routinely prescribed.

The list of 18 treatments were deemed by NHS bosses to be ineffective, overpriced or of low clinical value.

Seven products would be referred to the Department of Health, with the recommendation that they are blacklisted by CCGs. They include homeopathy, which was criticised by NHS England for there being “no clear or robust evidence to support its use”.

Dr Graham Jackson, NHS Aylesbury Vale CCG co-chair, who helped launch the guidance, said it would help health commissioners “prioritise effectively”.

He added: “We need to carry on having these honest open conversations on what the NHS can and should provide with the funding it has, so that we can continue to deliver high quality care.”