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NHS England needs to work together on plans to stop funding more low-level treatments, including silk clothing for people with dermatitis and eczema, and emollients for bathing and showering .
It has already ordered the cessation of the prescription of 18 low-value, over-the-counter medications, such as paracetamol and cough syrup, used to treat minor ailments.
Eight products
NHS England plans to stop funding eight elements:
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Silk garments – because of their low clinical effectiveness.
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Emollient bath and shower preparations should be replaced with "no rinse" emollients.
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Aliskiren – for blood pressure, due to a lack of evidence to determine its suitability for use in resistant hypertension.
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Amiodarone – used to treat abnormal heart rhythms. NHS England says new patients are no longer introduced to primary care.
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Dronedarone – used to treat atrial fibrillation. No longer be prescribed in primary care for any new patient.
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Minocycline – for acne because of an increased risk of adverse effects.
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Costly blood glucose test strips for type 2 diabetes need to be replaced with cheaper but equally effective products. Primary care prescribers should not initiate blood glucose test strips costing more than $ 10 for 50 new patients.
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Costly needles for pre-filled and reusable insulin pens for diabetes need to be replaced with the most economical option. Primary care prescribers should not initiate insulin pen needles costing more than £ 5 per 100 new diabetic patients.
It is expected that these changes could allow the NHS to save around £ 70 million a year.
New regulations come into effect next week on gluten-free products, limiting prescriptions to bread and gluten-free pastry mixes.
In a statement, NHS England President Simon Stevens said: "The NHS is one of the most effective health services in the world, but as part of the NHS long-term plan, we are committed to make taxpayer dollars go further and bring savings back to front-line care.
"It is essential that the NHS pays nothing for what has proven to be ineffective or for which there are safer or cheaper alternatives."
Consultation
The national consultation is open to all CCGs, the public and patients, as well as any interested groups or organizations.
It will be open for 3 months from November 28, 2018 to February 28, 2019.
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