Prescribing of low clinical value medicines

Why does NHS Dorset want to reduce prescribing of low clinical value medicines?

The NHS needs to make difficult choices about where money is spent to get the most benefit for people in Dorset.

NHS England and NHS Dorset have asked doctors to stop prescribing certain medicines or treatments because they are:

  • Shouldn’t be available on the NHS in some circumstances

  • More expensive than other medicines that do the same thing

  • Not as good (effective) as other medicines

  • Not as safe as other medicines

NHS Dorset wants for each medicine prescribed to offer the best opportunity for improved health and wellbeing. For the most part, low clinical value medicines do not achieve this. These changes aim to use our local NHS resources more effectively and make the NHS sustainable in the long-term.

Low clinical value items

The medications or treatments concerned are listed. Your GP practice will notify you of any alteration and offer an opportunity discuss the change where necessary.

  • Aliskiren

  • Amiodarone

  • Bath and shower preparations for dry skin

  • Co-proxamol

  • Dosulepin

  • Doxazosin modified release

  • Dronedarone

  • Fentanyl immediate release

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin

  • Herbal treatment

  • High-cost insulin pen needles

  • Homeopathy

  • Lidocaine plaster

  • Liothyronine

  • Lutein and antioxidants

  • Minocycline for acne

  • Oxycodone with naloxone combinations

  • Paracetamol with tramadol combinations

  • Perindopril arginine

  • Rubefacient cream and gels

  • Silk garments

  • Tadalafil once daily

  • Travel vaccines

  • Trimipramine