The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 269 No 7207 p88
20 July 2002

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Proprietary Association of Great Britain (www.pagb.org.uk)

GPs more likely to recommend OTCs

General practitioners are now eight times more likely to recommend patients with minor ailments to use non-prescription medicines than they were five years ago, according to new research from the Proprietary Association of Great Britain.

Published alongside the launch of the 10th edition of the PAGB's OTC Directory, a survey of 200 GPs found that 40 per cent of their time is taken up dealing with patients suffering from minor ailments who could have treated themselves. GPs are increasingly recommending self-care to such patients, with 61 per cent advising patients to look after themselves at home. When it comes to treatment, 41 per cent recommend non-prescription medicines, 33 per cent advise them to do nothing, and only 7 per cent give a prescription.

Asked what would help GPs end a consultation, other than prescribing a medicine, 53 per cent say that leaflets would help and 24 per cent want forms that patients can take to pharmacies instead of prescriptions.

Copies of the OTC Directory are available free of charge from Maria Robinson at the PAGB on 020 7242 8331.